Reserve forest land taken back

The Forest Department has taken back 51 acres of Gobbali reserve forest land near Goruru in Arkalgud taluk despite resistance from families of released bonded labourers, who had been cultivating the l

The Forest Department has taken back 51 acres of Gobbali reserve forest land near Goruru in Arkalgud taluk despite resistance from families of released bonded labourers, who had been cultivating the land for a couple of decades. The Forest officials, who reached the place with earthmovers on Thursday,faced protests by local people. Men and women, who gathered in big numbers, stopped the vehicles and raised slogans demanding that they be allowed to cultivate the land. The officers of the Forest and Revenue Department tried to convince the families that they would get alternative land as compensation, meant for released bonded labours. However, the villagers argued that they would give up the protest only if they were shown alternative land. Range Forest Officer Arun Kumar, DySP Lakshme Gowda, and tahsildar Y.M..Renu Kumar held talks with the protesters.