Raipur (thestates.news) | Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai addressed the applications of Kamar tribe families from the Bagbahara forest area during today’s weekly Jandarshan programme at his residential office in Raipur. He instructed forest department officials to investigate the notice issued by the Assistant Forest Range Officer regarding the eviction of Kamar families residing in Bagbahara forest area number 88 for many years, and to take necessary action accordingly.
The Kamar tribe residents of Bagbahara forest area number 88 approached the Chief Minister seeking intervention to halt the eviction proceedings. Shri Alakh Ram Kamar stated that a total of 20 Kamar families, including his own, have been living in the forest area since before the enactment of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, relying on it for their livelihoods. In 2008, the Tamora Gram Panchayat installed a borewell there for drinking water purposes. Despite a recommendation from the Forest Rights Committee on May 10, 2008, to issue land titles (‘patta’) to these families, they have not received them due to their refusal to pay bribes demanded by officials under the guise of processing the ‘patta’ applications. Consequently, the Kamar families face recurring threats and eviction notices, causing major distress.
Chief Minister took these concerns seriously and directed forest department officials to thoroughly investigate the situation and take appropriate action.