Settled on forestland 40 years ago, six families face eviction
Rajiv Mahajan
Nurpur, November 15
As many as six Schedule Caste families of Ghurnu and Bariara villages in Khel gram panchayat here will soon be rendered landless as the state Forest Department has decided to fence their land with barbed wires and plant saplings.
These Below Poverty Line (BPL) families had built kutcha houses on the forestland around 40 years ago in 1980 and were provided water and electricity connections during the Congress regime. The government had also provided toilet facility to them. They have now urged Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur to rehabilitate them.
Kishori Lal, ward member of Khel gram panchayat, alleged that the Forest Department had started the process without serving any official notice. “These families will be displaced if the government doesn’t make any alternative arrangement. They had approached the local MLA and the local forest department authorities, but to no avail.”
Former MLA Ajay Mahajan, who visited the affected families, said the government should adopt a humanitarian approach and must rehabilitate them. “The High Court had directed the Forest Department not to act against those who had encroached upon less than 10 kanals (five bighas), but the authorities are taking action against one and all,” he said.
Despite repeated attempts, Divisional Forest Officer Basu Shamin could not be contacted for his comments.
Not served notices
The Forest Department did not serve any notice. These families will be displaced if the government doesn't make any alternative arrangement. They had approached the local MLA and the local forest department authorities, but to no avail. —Kishori Lal, Khel Gram Panchayat
