Burhanpur.
For the last 24 hours, more than 500 tribals of Ghagharla area are protesting in the collectorate premises to stop the illegal felling of forests and encroachment on forest land of Forest Inspector Nepanagar. This time the villagers have reached the district headquarters with preparations for the week-long agitation. They have also brought with them clothes to sleep and wear, grains and utensils for food. He spent Wednesday night in the Collectorate premises only. Khichdi has been prepared as food on Thursday in the collectorate premises itself. The tribals have surrounded the main gate of the collectorate office. Due to which the traffic from this gate has stopped.
The villagers say that till the time the government and the administration do not drive out the outside encroachers who are doing illegal felling of the forest, they will continue to agitate to save the forest.
The agitating villagers shouted slogans against Nepanagar MLA Sumitra Devi Kasdekar. He said that the forest is being cut for the last 6 months, but even once the MLA did not come to see. When she cannot solve the problems of the villagers then why would she be made an MLA again. The rural women openly said that they will not vote in favor of this government and the MLA in the coming elections. Looking at this anger of rural tribals, this time the path of BJP is not looking easy in Nepanagar area. Women also raised slogans of Sumitra Devi Sharm Karo.
The agitating villagers and women have also accused the state government of selling the forest. He said that after the forest is cleared, the government will give this land to the industrialists. This is the reason why the outside encroachers have been given free hand to cut the forest.
It may be noted that Jagrut Adivasi Dalit Sangathan has already agitated for the protection of forests. Under the leadership of organization head Madhuri Ben, this time the villagers have reached the district headquarters with a fighting mood.
