Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)

Bantwal, Aug 4: The Bantwal block BJP Yuva Morcha staged protests in front of the Bantwal Forest Officer's office at Ganadapadpu on Friday, August 4, urging authorities to take action against those involved in the illegal felling of trees at Kodyamale reserve forest.

The protesters accused an individual of cutting down trees without proper authorization and transporting them to a private wood mill.

During the demonstration, the protestors alleged collusion between the Bantwal Forest Officer and the accused, asserting that the officer had failed to initiate any legal action against him. They raised slogans criticizing the Congress government and the Forest Department, while also demanding the presence of the District Forest Officer at the location.

Deputy conservator of forests P Sridhar and Zonal Forest Officer Rajesh Baligar arrived at the scene and assured the protestors that an FIR would be registered against the accused before Saturday. They also promised to inspect the wood stored in the private mill owned by the individual in question. Following these assurances, the protests were called off.

The demonstration was led by BJP Bantwal block committee president Devappa Poojary, Yuva Morcha president Kishore Pallipady, and district Yuva Morcha chief secretary Sudarshan Baja.

Several members of the BJP and local residents, including Prakash Anchan, Dombaya Arala, Suresh Kotian, Hariprasad Bhandaribettu, Purushotham Shetty Vamadapadav, Ganesh Rai Mani, Ramanath Rai, Santhosh Kumar Raibettu, Ananda A Shambhoor, Umesh Arala, Prashanth Kempugudde, Pradeep Ajjibettu, Chidananda Rai Kakya, Seetarama Poojary, Dinesh Dambedar, Yashodhara Karbettu, Ashwath Rao Balike, Anoop Raj, Laxman Raj, and others, were also present during the protests.