Chikkamagaluru: Members of Karnataka Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (KDSS) alleged that forest department officials assaulted a Dalit farmer cultivating on govt-granted land survey no 34 of Nagarajapura village, Amruthapura hobli, Tarikere taluk.Speaking to reporters, KDSS leaders HV Balaraj, GT Ramesh and Annayya said the 4.3-acre land was granted to Sugunamma of Yarehalli village in 2018. The family has been growing coconut and mango on the land for several years.The leaders alleged that forest staff arrived while the family was cultivating the land with a tractor, took away the vehicle keys and assaulted women present at the spot.They claimed that survey no 4 falls outside forest limits and that the department has no jurisdiction there, yet officials were targeting the community.A case has been registered against the officials under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. A counter-complaint has also been filed against Sugunamma’s family members.The family possesses documents, yet the forest department harassed them and prevented them from farming, the leaders said.They warned of protests if the harassment continues and the family is denied the right to cultivate its land.
