JOIN USA delegation of Inam land holders from Kalasa hobli of Chikmagalur district led by former MP Jayaprakash Hegde and former ministers Motamma and C T Ravi met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and sought his intervention to stop eviction of farmers cultivating in forest land.
Siddaramaiah told the delegation that the interest of small land holders below 10 acres will be protected. Hegde said as the matter was before the court, the eviction should be stalled till the court pronounces its final order.
The forest department is clearing Inam land, following the High Court’s order in 2012. The court had declared Inam land as reserve forest.
Hegde said of the 600 and odd farmers cultivating in the region, as many as 327 were eligible for land grant. Impleading applications had been filed for getting land grants to small land holders under Forest Dwellers Act.