Siddapur: Forest encroachers staged a mega protest in the town on Tuesday, condemning the rejection of their applications at the sub-divisional level committee. The applications were submitted by them urging the government to sanction land to take up agricultural activities.

The agitators took out a protest rally from Timmappa Nayaka Circle, which passed through major streets in the town. Later, they held a meeting at Ramakrishna Hegde Circle. Along with that, a roadblock protest was held. Protesters burnt tyres and expressed anger over the rejection of applications.

The protesters demanded the Sirsi Assistant Commissioner to visit the protesting spot. But when the assistant commissioner failed to visit the spot, the enraged protesters picketed the tahsildar office. Later, in the place of assistant commissioner, tahsildar received the memorandum. Assistant Conservator of Forest Abdul Azeez was present.

Raitha Sangha Taluk Unit President Veerabhadra Naik said, from many decades, they were cultivating the forest land and led their lives depending upon the forest land. They always helped people with the cultivation of food grains, and never harmed the environment of the forest. However, without knowing the facts, the assistant commissioner has rejected as many as 9,550 applications of encroachers, he added.

Senior advocate N D Naik said, the re-verification of applications should be held and farmers should get justice. 

One Veerabhadra Naik said, the Forest Department should not create problems for the cultivation by forest encroachers. Tahsildar and Deputy Conservator of Forest should give them assurance in this regard. If any kind of problems were created, a mass protest will be staged after a fortnight, he warned. The protest was held for over three years. The shopkeepers, traders supported the protest by voluntarily closing their shops. Leaders Vicky Fernandez, Ravi Kugve, Nandan Borakar, V N Naik Bedkani, and others also spoke.