Narmada Forest Land Row: BJP MP Mansukh Vasava, MLA Sit on Dharna With Tribal Farmers
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
A dispute over forest land rights in Narmada district of Gujarat escalated on World Tribal Day, with BJP MP Mansukh Vasava and Nandod MLA Darshanaben Deshmukh joining tribal farmers in a sit-in protest.
The two BJP leaders reached the protest site at Khopi village and sat alongside farmers demanding access to forest land for cultivation. The agitation involves tribal farmers from Khopi and 11 surrounding villages, who have been opposing restrictions on cultivating the disputed forest land.
Farmers allege double standards by forest department
According to the protesters, tribal farmers in Umarpada taluka of Surat district are being permitted to cultivate forest land, while farmers in the 12 villages bordering Narmada district are allegedly being prevented from doing so.
The alleged difference in treatment has triggered a dispute between local farmers and the Forest Department over the past several days.
Tensions after MP urges farmers to cultivate land
The latest escalation followed a public meeting held at Khopi village two days ago in the presence of Vasava and Deshmukh.
During the meeting, Vasava reportedly urged tribal farmers to follow Mahatma Gandhi’s path of peaceful protest and begin cultivating the land to assert their rights.
Following the appeal, farmers went to the disputed land on Friday to begin cultivation but reportedly clashed with Forest Department personnel.
Following the confrontation, agitated farmers began a sit-in at the location and remained there through the night.
Police and forest officials deployed
Vasava subsequently wrote to the Surat Collector, raising strong objections over the situation and demanding action on the concerns of the tribal farmers.
On World Tribal Day, Vasava and Deshmukh reached the disputed site and joined the farmers in their protest.
Meanwhile, a large contingent of Surat district police and Forest Department personnel was deployed at the location amid concerns that the situation could escalate.
The fact that a BJP MP and MLA have taken to the protest site against the administration of their own government has added a political dimension to the dispute and intensified tensions in the region.
