Siddapura: Social welfare minister Anjaneya ruled out allotting sites to tribals evicted by forest department in Diddalli but assured of providing housing at alternative location within 2 months.

Speaking to tribals evacuees at Diddalli, Minister Anjaneya said, there are no provisions in the law to allot land coming under reserve forest limits.

As an alternative, government will use revenue land and provide housing to displaced tribals, Minister said.

Tribals have been living in forest areas for many years and are demanding permanent accommodation. They have played a major role in protecting the forests and a suitable alternative will be provided after consulting the chief minister, Minister Anjaneya assured.

Ruling out dearth of funds in social welfare department to provide housing for tribals, Anjaneya said, few complaints have been received from a nearby school meant for tribes after protests erupted in the area. Considering those issues the displaced tribals will be accommodated in an alternative location within 2 months, he said.

Tribal leader J K Appaji accused forest department officials of evicting them without notice though they were staying in the area for well over six months. He also accused forest officials of collecting Rs 100 from each household on weekly basis. Woman leader Muthamma too sought immediate solution to the problem.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA Shivamurthy, President of the committee meant for backward communities and tribes cited 58 villages in the state are without proper revenue documents and sought changes in the law to develop even those villages.

The social welfare minister was accompanied by another minister Parmeshwar Naik, Madikeri MLA K G Bopiah, MLC Veena Achiah and Deputy Commissioner Dr.Richard Vincent D’Souza and others.

IGP rules out presence of Naxals in the area

In the meantime Inspector general of Police (Southern Range) B K Singh ruled out the presence of naxals or naxlite activities in Maldare region of the district. Speaking to reporters at Diddalli , IGP Singh said, prohibitory orders were imposed as a precautionary measure keeping in view the number of outsiders visiting the district to take part in protests in support of tribals.