<p>Kolar: MLAs across party lines strongly opposed the recent forest land eviction drives, targeting Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Sareena Sikkaligar, at a tense District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committees (Disha) meeting in Kolar on Tuesday. It was unanimously decided that eviction operations will be suspended until a joint survey is completed.</p><p>The meeting, chaired by MP M Mallesh Babu at the Zilla Panchayat hall, was dominated by discussions on eviction drives in Harati, Shillangere, Kotiganahalli, and Abbani villages in Kolar taluk. The debate lasted over an hour, marked by heated exchanges, boycott threats, and protest warnings, while most officials remained silent.</p><p>Bangarpet Congress MLA S N Narayanaswamy initiated the discussion, joined by MLC Inchara Govindaraju (JD(S)), M L Anil Kumar (Congress), and JD(S) MLA Samruddhi Manjunath, who criticised the Forest Department’s actions.</p><p>DCF Sareena defended the Department, stating, “We are acting legally on notified forest land with no personal gain. There is no question of releasing the seized land. There is no scope for retreat.”</p><p><strong>‘Why drastic steps?’</strong></p><p>Narayanaswamy retorted, “Notices and joint surveys should precede action. But, all of a sudden, you destroyed farmlands without informing us. The farmers there had cultivation and khata rights. They have even sunk borewells seeking loans. They pay taxes for the land and have grown the crops. Who authorised such drastic steps?”</p><p>He questioned why the department remained inactive for years if the land belonged to the forest and highlighted government directives, protecting small farmers’ lands until joint surveys were done.</p><p>MLC Govindaraju alleged illegal trespassing by officers and eviction of an aged caretaker while he was abroad, possessing land documents as proof.</p><p>The DCF reaffirmed the land’s minor forest status, noting multiple notices were issued and inspections held.</p><p>MLC Anil Kumar accused the Forest Department of authoritarian conduct, withholding seized equipment, and questioned Revenue Department approvals.</p><p><strong>DC’s intervention</strong></p><p>Deputy Commissioner M R Ravi intervened, emphasising that no action should be taken without a joint survey. He proposed referring the matter to the minister-led KDP meeting, earning lawmakers’ applause. He also cited a Supreme Court order mandating joint surveys.</p><p>MLA Kothur Manjunath suggested a separate, detailed session at the DC’s office to resolve the issue.</p><p>MLAs K Y Nanjegowda, ZP CEO Praveen Bagewadi, Deputy Secretary T K Ramesh, Additional SP Jagadish and others were present.</p>
<p>Kolar: MLAs across party lines strongly opposed the recent forest land eviction drives, targeting Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Sareena Sikkaligar, at a tense District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committees (Disha) meeting in Kolar on Tuesday. It was unanimously decided that eviction operations will be suspended until a joint survey is completed.</p><p>The meeting, chaired by MP M Mallesh Babu at the Zilla Panchayat hall, was dominated by discussions on eviction drives in Harati, Shillangere, Kotiganahalli, and Abbani villages in Kolar taluk. The debate lasted over an hour, marked by heated exchanges, boycott threats, and protest warnings, while most officials remained silent.</p><p>Bangarpet Congress MLA S N Narayanaswamy initiated the discussion, joined by MLC Inchara Govindaraju (JD(S)), M L Anil Kumar (Congress), and JD(S) MLA Samruddhi Manjunath, who criticised the Forest Department’s actions.</p><p>DCF Sareena defended the Department, stating, “We are acting legally on notified forest land with no personal gain. There is no question of releasing the seized land. There is no scope for retreat.”</p><p><strong>‘Why drastic steps?’</strong></p><p>Narayanaswamy retorted, “Notices and joint surveys should precede action. But, all of a sudden, you destroyed farmlands without informing us. The farmers there had cultivation and khata rights. They have even sunk borewells seeking loans. They pay taxes for the land and have grown the crops. Who authorised such drastic steps?”</p><p>He questioned why the department remained inactive for years if the land belonged to the forest and highlighted government directives, protecting small farmers’ lands until joint surveys were done.</p><p>MLC Govindaraju alleged illegal trespassing by officers and eviction of an aged caretaker while he was abroad, possessing land documents as proof.</p><p>The DCF reaffirmed the land’s minor forest status, noting multiple notices were issued and inspections held.</p><p>MLC Anil Kumar accused the Forest Department of authoritarian conduct, withholding seized equipment, and questioned Revenue Department approvals.</p><p><strong>DC’s intervention</strong></p><p>Deputy Commissioner M R Ravi intervened, emphasising that no action should be taken without a joint survey. He proposed referring the matter to the minister-led KDP meeting, earning lawmakers’ applause. He also cited a Supreme Court order mandating joint surveys.</p><p>MLA Kothur Manjunath suggested a separate, detailed session at the DC’s office to resolve the issue.</p><p>MLAs K Y Nanjegowda, ZP CEO Praveen Bagewadi, Deputy Secretary T K Ramesh, Additional SP Jagadish and others were present.</p>
