Deori-Amgaon MLA Sahasram Korote joined thunger strike of Gram Sabhas
As Monday's strike entered its seventh day, more support has started pouring in for the striking gram sabha office bearers of around 35 villages.
Nagpur: The hunger strike by the members of the Group of Gram Sabhas (GGS) has taken a new turn after Deori-Amgaon MLA Sahasram Korote joined the protest against the arbitrariness of the Forest Department.
As Monday’s strike entered its seventh day, more support has started pouring in for the striking gram sabha office bearers of around 35 villages. The protest started on 30th May after ACF Rajendra Sadgir and South Deori RFO BN Chidhe seized a tendu leaf truck with around 112 standard leaves and detained them at Dongargaon depot.
APCCF (Tendu) Pravin Chavan was also completely unavailable for comment.
Group of Gram Sabhas President Narayan Salame has claimed that “Tendu leaves were collected from the Community Forest Rights (CFR) area in Mahesuli, Where we got rights over 110 hectares of forest area under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.”
“So far, in the past seven days or so, four people on hunger strike had fallen ill due to the scorching heat. Still the forest officials have not taken any cognizance of their demands at all. They reached the venue but talks failed because the forest officials are adamant on their stand,” MLA Korote told TOI.
Forest officials have made absolutely no mention of the Gram Sabha TP
Korote said, “When tribals have rights over Minor Forest Produce (MFP) including tendu leaves, Then why is the forest department interfering? From 2013 to 2022, the Gram Sabha has been selling leaves like this. But this year only they are being harassed.”
The MLA said, “On Monday, the Deputy Conservator (DyCF) of Gondia had promised to reach the spot at 9.30 am and discuss the matter, But they did not reach till 3.30 pm. This also shows that the intention of the forest department is to suppress the rights of tribals.”
Community forest rights Crusader Dilip Gode said, “Forest officials have made absolutely no mention of the Gram Sabha TP in the Preliminary Offense Report (POR) while impounding the vehicle. It also means tampering with the record and registering a false case with malicious intent.”
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