1 week Ago
Kolar: Tension prevailed near Kethaganahalli Gate in Srinivasapur taluk of Kolar district Sunday morning when forest department officials arrived to seize the tractors used recently to till lands reclaimed by the authorities. Irate villagers staged a dharna in protest by putting up a road blockade during which a farmer tried to immolate himself. However, other villagers stopped him.
On April 5, forest department officials stopped a few farmers who were tilling fields saying the land belonged to them. The farmers were sent off. The villagers argued that there was a case pending before the court, which had issued a stay order on the matter.
The forest department officials were of the view that the court had ordered status quo and hence ploughing could not be allowed. The forest authorities registered an FIR against 13 people in this regard. On Sunday, the authorities arrived at the village to seize the tractors which were used to plough the land.
As they took possession of three tractors, the villagers resorted to a road blockade and burnt tyres. When all these were going on, Nagaraj, a villager, tried to pour petrol on himself to immolate himself. However, alert villagers stopped him.
The situation was brought under control by police who chased away the farmers. Srinivasapur range forest officer Ravi Keerthi said the authorities have taken into possession three tractors and two more are yet to be seized. He said no arrests have been made and the department will take all measures to prevent encroachment of forest lands.
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