`Eviction threat aiding naxal movement'

UDUPI: K. Jayaprakash Hegde, MLA, said on Sunday that the threat to evict people from forest land and the indifferent attitude of the Forest Department are helping the growth of naxalism in Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Chikamagalur and Shimoga districts.
Addressing presspersons here, Mr. Hegde said though the Government has been proclaiming that it will not evict people from forest land, officials of the Forest Department are acting in a contradictory manner.
He said those who have built houses and are cultivating forest land are against leaving it. Lack of clear demarcation of forest and revenue land is the reason for the problem. People should not be made to suffer for the mistakes of government departments. He said the Government should find out the extent of forest land acquired by the people and a similar area could be taken from the Revenue Department for the development of forest. Though the Government announced a Rs. 60-crore package for the development of four districts after the police encounter with naxalites at Eedu in Udupi district one-and-a-half-year ago, it has not released funds.
It is necessary to sort out the differences between the officials of the Revenue and Forest departments, Mr. Hedge said.