Tribals demand rehabilitation, stage ''rasta roko''

Mysore, Jul 7 (UNI) More than 300 tribals of Nagarahole Rajiv Gandhi National Park today staged a ''rasta roko'' for more than five hours and restricted entry to the tourists seeking redressal of various demands from the state government.

The protest was held under the banner of Nagarahole tribals rehabilitation action committee. The tribals demanding the title deed from the revenue department for the land given by the forest department, even alleged that all these lands allotted to tribals were being given hotel owners.

Nearly 280 tribal families have been rehabilitated under the state government tribal rehabilitation projects, however, these projects have not reached the needy.

Meanwhile, Hunsur MLA H P Manjunath, who visited the spot assured the tribals that necessary action would be taken within a week to settle the problems related to rehabilitation.

The Deputy Commissioner of Mysore district P Manivannan also directed the officials to take necessary steps on the problems of the tribals in the area of Nagarahole national park.

The Nagarahole national park, a major tourist destination, was virtually closed for more than five hours for the tourists.

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