Forest officer provided protection on Minister's threat

Bangalore, Sep 8(UNI) The Karnataka Forest Minister Mr C Channigappa today announced that a special police protection has been provided to Bellary Divisional Forest Officer Rajashekaran, who was allegedly threatened by Karnataka Tourism Minister Mr Sriramulu with dire-consequences.

Mr Channigappa told newsmen here that he had appealed to Chief Minsiter H D Kumaraswamy to extend special protection to the forest Department official in the wake of the threat from his cabinet colleague.

Describing the behaviour of Mr Sriramulu against the forest Department as unfortunate, he said he had taken up with the issue with Deputy Chief Minister Mr B S Yediyurappa also.

The minister informed that after stern actions initiated by him during last two years over 42,000 acres of encroached forest land had been recovered and culprits were being prosecuted. "Still a long way to go as there is report of encroachment of over 10800 hectares of forest land in the state" he said.

He said a survey was on in iron ore region of Bellary to prevent illegal mining, allegedly being carried out with the support of politicians including Mr G Janardhana Reddy, the suspended BJP legislator in the district.

Mr Channigappa denied that he was shielding some of the the accused involved in couple of murders occurred in Nelamangala taluk.

"Congress leaders are making baseless allegations against him" he said and also announced that he would file defamation case against both H Vishwanath and H M Revanna, former ministers.

UNI