Villagers Protest in Udaipur’s Khupilong Over Forest Committee Land Dispute; Demand Withdrawal of Police Cases Against 16 Forest Protectors

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, August 6, 2025

A massive protest broke out this morning in Udaipur’s Khupilong area after local residents blocked the Udaipur-Atharobola road around 10:00 AM, expressing strong resentment over police cases filed against 16 members of a forest protection committee. The unrest stems from a dispute involving the “Shanti Bonayan JFMC Committee,” which was formed in the year 2000 to protect a 150-hectare forest area, approved by both the state and central forest departments.

The conflict began when a man named Ron Mohan Jamatia claimed in 2025 that he had received a patta (land lease) for 25 kanis (approximately 8.3 hectares) within this forest zone. He allegedly began clearing the forest to establish a rubber plantation, prompting members of the Shanti Bonayan Committee to object with the support of the Forest Department. In response, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Killa Police Station, Bikas Debbarma, filed legal cases against the 16 committee members.

This move enraged the local community, who viewed the forest protectors as environmental guardians, not criminals. In a show of solidarity, 100–150 villagers took to the streets, blocking a key road and demanding the immediate withdrawal of the cases. They questioned why action was taken against those trying to safeguard forest resources, while alleged encroachers faced no accountability.

Upon receiving reports of the protest, senior officials including Sub-Divisional Forest Officer Khagendra Debbarma, SDPO Nirman Das, and RK Pur OC Sanjeev Laskar rushed to the scene with a large police contingent. After nearly two and a half hours of protest, authorities assured the villagers that the case would be reviewed and withdrawn within a week. They also promised to clearly demarcate the boundaries of the forest land under the Shanti Bonayan JFMC Committee.

Following these assurances, the road blockade was lifted peacefully.

Local environmental activists have raised concerns over the misuse of land lease claims in ecologically sensitive areas and called for stronger protection of Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMC) lands across the state.

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