Razing of tribal huts inside WWS spark off protest

Kozhikode: The alleged razing of huts belonging to three tribal families inside Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary sparked intense protests on Monday, following which forest minister A K Saseendran sought a report from the chief wildlife warden over the incident.The tribal families, who had been residing on the forest land at Kollimoola in Begur under Tholpetty forest range for nearly 15 years, complained that forest officials demolished their huts on Sunday, citing encroachment on forest land. The huts belonged to Meenakshi, Anil and Lakshmi.Congress and BJP activists staged protests at the Tholpetty forest range office and blockaded the officials.Saseendran said strict action will be taken against the forest department officials who forcibly evicted the families.Meanwhile the blockade protest was called off at night following the discussions held with Wayanad wildlife warden. The tribal families whose huts were razed would be given temporary accommodation at forest department's dormitory and quarters.Meanwhile forest department sources said the department and the families had come to a mutual agreement that they will move out if alternate accommodation was provided but the issue flared up following the intervention of political parties.A forest department official said one family had a partially completed house and they had agreed to move out if they were provided a door for the house. Theu also said that the huts were dismantled jointly by the families and forest staff.