By TC News Desk
Agartala, 12th May 2024: In a distressing turn of events, fifteen landless families, including women and children, were subjected to brutal eviction by the local forest department staff in the Jalebasa Pekuchhara area under Panisagar.
The families, already reeling from financial hardships, were forced out of their makeshift shelters into the deep forest, where they spent the night under the open sky.
The incident occurred late on Saturday night when forest department personnel descended upon the vulnerable families, allegedly assaulting the men, women, and children without any female staff present. Witnesses report horrifying scenes of chaos and violence as families were forcibly removed from their meager dwellings.
According to the victims, the forest department’s actions were relentless, with threats and intimidation hurled at them even as they were being pushed out of the area. With nowhere else to turn, the families were left stranded in the unforgiving wilderness, their plight exacerbated by the lack of assistance from local authorities.
Speaking out against the injustice, the affected families lamented their longstanding struggle for basic rights, including access to land and shelter. Despite being active participants in the electoral process for years, they continue to endure the harsh reality of landlessness and neglect.
The egregious conduct of the forest department has sparked outrage across the Panisagar division, with community members and activists condemning the inhumane treatment of the landless families. Public representatives are being urged to intervene and address the urgent needs of the displaced families, including the provision of suitable land for resettlement.
In light of the escalating crisis, appeals have been directed to the Chief Minister of the state, urging swift action to alleviate the suffering of the landless population. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the systemic challenges faced by marginalized communities and the pressing need for comprehensive reform to ensure their rights and dignity are upheld.