Adivasis set up huts in forest, seek land

Pathanamthitta, June 21 (UNI) Adivasis and people belonging to backward sections tresspassed into the Konni Forest area and set up huts in 'Muthanga style' last night and early today.

This was part of Vedi's agitation under the banner of Sadhujana Vimochana Samyuktha Vedi.They agigationists were demanding five acre of land per family.

The encroachment focussed on forest land under possession of Plantation Corporation, taken on lease for planting rubber trees.

Most of the illegal occupation occurred at Kompana and Anakoottam in Kodumon Plantation and Ezhumon and Elappupara in Chandapally Plantation.

An attempt by the Vedi activists to storm 350 acre of controversial forest land and Kallely, near Konni, was foilded by forest personnel and police.

The encroachers comprised of tribals and others from Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts. Last year, the Vedi staged a 'marathon dharna' lasting 200 days at the gate of Pathanamthitta Civil Station.

Those spearheading the action included Convener Laha Gopalan, President P K Suseelan and Secretary N Karunakaran. Even women and children participated in the agitation.

Rapid Action Force of Police and Forest Guards were keeping vigil at the troubled areas.

According to police, the situation was tense but under control.

Meanwhile, 'peace talks' held by ADM B Mohan, officiating as District Collector, Adoor RDO Maheswaran and Adoor Deputy SP Asok Kumar with the Vedi State Leaders I K Raveendra Raj, P K Suseelan, N Karunakaran and Ramani Satheesh, proved futile.

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