State minister Kagod Timappa leads massive protest against forest department

Bhatkal - 10 May 2011: A criminal case against Atikaram Horata Samiti President, Mr Rama Moger, frequent demolition of houses built on Atikaram land and alleged harassment of poor people by the forest officials led people to come out on streets to protest against the forest officials here in Bhatkal. The rally was commenced from Circuit house which was led by State minister Kagod Timappa and supported by Atikaram Horata Samiti, community leaders and large number of people. The protesters shouted slogans against the department and demanded immediate end to frequent harassment and demolition of houses. Heavy security arrangements were in place to deal with any untoward incident.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Kagod Timappa said, 'We are against illegal encroachment of forest land and we don't encourage illegal construction of houses but we are against frequent harassment and demolition of houses built by poor people'.

On this occasion Rama Moger - President AHS, Mr Ravindranath Naik, Mr F K Moger, Mr Badrul Hasan Muallim - President Tanzeem, Mr M D Naik, Mr Abdul Raheem Shaikh and others were present.

Bhatkallys News Service / Photos: Rizwan Gangavali