THOLPETTY (WAYANAD): The forest department has demolished three huts in the Kollimoola Adivasi settlement adjacent to the Begur forest in Tholpetty range of Thirunelly panchayat. The incident took place at 7.45 pm last night in an area where wild elephants roam even in broad daylight. The family consisting of pregnant women and children had to stay in the forest. Those who have been living in huts in Minister OR Kelu's panchayat for the past 16 years have been rendered homeless.
Forest department officials demolished the huts without warning. The food containers were also thrown away. Though the adivasis resisted, the officials did not yield. Congress, led by T Siddique, staged a protest in front of the Tholpetty range office, mobilising adivasis to protest against the incident. PK Jayalakshmi, NK Varghese, T Ashraf, MM Nishanth, Harris Kattikkulam, Aziz Valad, MG Biju, Rafeeq Velanchery, Noushad Injai Tholpetty, Shamseer Aranapara and others led the protest. In a discussion with the DFO, the adivasis were shifted to the forest department dormitory. The forest department said that the demolished houses will be rebuilt.
Strict action, says Forest Minister
Minister AK Saseendran said that strict action will be taken against the forest department officials who forcibly evicted the Adivasis. A report has been sought from the chief wildlife warden on the incident. The minister said the administration has directed the forest chief to take action, including suspending the officials responsible.