TIGER RESERVE ENCROACHERS ATTACK EVICTION OFFICIALS

A sub-divisional magistrate and at least three forest personnel, part of the team set to carry out an eviction drive, were injured when a group of villagers attacked them in Pilibhit’s Madhotanda on Friday evening. The villagers went on a rampage breaking windowpanes of the officials’ vehicle, which they also allegedly attempted to set on fire.

Saturday saw fresh tension when villagers allegedly attacked an official patrolling at the forest boundary. The district administration has deployed a police team to ensure peace.

Reportedly, over 500 acres of land near the tiger reserve has been “encroached upon” by people claiming to be residents of the area since decades.

The forest department had planned an eviction drive on Friday, along with a plantation drive.

As the team reached the spot, villages attacked three forest guards and locked them up in a room. The department alerted the district administration, which sent a team comprising the local SDM, the circle officer and police officers from two police stations.

“The villagers were angry and they attacked the officials and started pelting stones,” said SDM Sadanand Saroj. The officer was seated in the front seat of the car and received injuries from the stones.

The officials called for additional police force and detained over 30 people from the spot.

The police have registered a complaint against 50 people and charged them for rioting and other offences under the IPC.

Villagers, who already felt their relationship with the forest department was “tensed”, now accuse the district administration of “colluding” with them.

The area has been in news for the repeated attacks from tigers targeting the villagers near the tiger reserve. At least 15 deaths have been reported in these attacks, which the villagers complain the forest department has been unable to prevent.