Madikeri: Residents of Sundernagar protested against the forest department over the alleged fence clearing in their residential area in Kushalnagar taluk. Over 80 families residing in Sundernagar in the Kudumangaluru gram panchayat alleged that the department was trying to clear the fencing near the temple premises and was obstructing development work.The villagers alleged that the RTC of the land changed three times and the department now declared the region as deemed forest. They said that several works, including fencing around the houses, were being obstructed by the department. “Over 80 families are in limbo following the sudden change in land usage. The land was registered as C and D land and now became a deemed forest,” alleged the villagers, who said that they now lived in fear of being evicted. They cautioned that they would host a massive protest against the forest department.Meanwhile, the village was visited by former MLA Appachu Ranjan, who condemned the stance of state govt. He said that govt’s stance on the forest department was not systematic, and that the forest minister implemented new rules haphazardly. “If it causes problems for the villagers, I will protest with the party workers in the coming days to enforce the previous rules,” he said.Foresters said that, as per the instructions of the forest department, the drive was carried out. No new houses and compound walls can be constructed in Sundernagar, they stated, adding that the officials would take action as per the decision taken in the District Level Committee.
