Foresters on backfoot after Pernambut ryots seek justice for farmer

VELLORE: Forest department officials in Vellore, Ranipet and Tirupattur districts were on the backfoot when leaders of the non-political Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangam went on the offensive on the issue of a Pernambut farmer being implicated in a false case recently on Saturday.

The issue of farmer Mohan Babu being arrested and remanded for his use of a siren to chase wild elephants which was linked to the death of a leopard at Serangal village near Pernambut on August 26 resulted in Vellore DRO being unable to answer farmers questions.

A forest ranger who was asked to answer in the absence of the DFO backed out saying that the incident did not occur in his range. State general secretary of the Sangam S Udayakumar said that “massive procession would be taken from Rangapurm to the Vellore DFO’s office on Monday despite Sathuvachari police informing about a ban on processions till October 10 to highlight the issue and demand withdrawal of the case against Mohan Babu.”

“As grievances day meets were over in other districts we have asked members to take up the issue at the next meeting” he said. Asked about possible police arrest, he said “we welcome it as we will not back down till justice is done to Mohan Babu.”

An official speaking on condition of anonymity said “the district administration is in a bind as withdrawal of the case has become a question of prestige, as such a move will mean the forest department acted wrongly. The way out would be to withdraw the case and initiate action on the ranger concerned as then farmers will have to give up their agitation.”

With the Sangam having already announced the boycott of all elections till the issue of wild animal menace on farmers and farms were sorted out, Udayakumar said “if no action is taken we will come to the next grievances day meet with mats and pillows and stage a sit in agitation till justice is meted out to fellow farmer Mohan Babu.”