Action sought against officials for eviction of villagers
Special Correspondent
Officials accused of “misguiding” the government and the police
SALEM: The Suriyur Action Committee, a forum of social and tribal groups formed to champion the cause of the residents of Suriyur Pallakadu in Salem district, has urged the government to take immediate action against Forest Department officials who on Sunday evicted the people from the village where they had been living for generations.
Accusing the officials of “misguiding” the government and the police, committee convenor A. Renganathan told reporters here on Tuesday that the villagers had obtained a stay in the Madras High Court. But the officials misinterpreted the court order for carrying out the eviction. He said the eviction was in violation of the provisions of the Scheduled Tribe and Forest Dwellers Act (Recognition of Forest Rights), 2006, which stipulates that no one, either a tribal or a forest dweller, who has been living in forest lands prior to December 13, 2005, should be evicted.
The activists urged the government to provide compensation to the victims. They will stage a demonstration here on Wednesday to press their demands.
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