Manwala panchayat takes 'illegal possession' of land

Sameer Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 25

The gram panchayat of Manwala village in the Talwandi Sabo block of Bathinda district has been accused of taking illegal possession of a large chunk of land of the Forest Department.

Villagers and retired Forest Department employees alleged that dozens of trees were axed to construct a park and there were attempts to take illegal possession of around 4.5 acres of land near the Kotla branch canal bank.

In a complaint to the Chief Minister and Chief Conservator of Forest Department, Jaswinder Singh Mann, an advocate and villager, said, “Dozens of trees of kikkar, shisham and eucalyptus were axed by the gram panchayat and construction material was placed there. Apart from disturbing the green cover of the area, the panchayat has also been trying to take possession of the forest land for construction work.”

Madhu Bhushan, general secretary, Forest Department Non-gazetted Retired Officers’ Union, Punjab, said, “As per a Supreme Court judgment, leave aside taking possession or construction, you cannot even enter the Forest Department land without permission. Apart from axing trees, the area was dug up and bricks were placed there for construction.”

Khuswant Singh Babbi, sarpanch of Manwala village, said, “We do not know anything about illegal possession. If something has happened then the authorities must conduct a probe.”

When contacted, Divisional Forest Officer Swaran Singh said, “Attempts were being made to construct a park in the area, but after being informed we have got the material removed from the site. If any such attempt is made in future, we will take strict action in the matter.”