Madikeri: D S Nirvanappa, member of Bhoomi Matthu Vasati Horata central committee has demanded for rehabilitating tribals at Diddalli only, from where they were evicted in the name of encroachment.

This may hinder the government’s plan to allot alternate land for the tribals evicted from Diddalli coming under Devammachi Reserved Forest in Kodagu.

Addressing reporters on Wednesday here, Nirvanappa said, “The land where tribals were residing earlier is recorded as ‘paisari land’ (waste land in the forest). It can be corrected during the meeting expected to be presided over by the chief minister Siddaramaiah in the coming days.”

He said that vested interests that included landlords were trying to mislead the people by dubbing the ongoing struggle as naxals movement, besides charging the leaders of collecting donations from tribals towards the protest.

Nirvanappa, who warned of filing a defamation case against such people, said,“If it was true, the people would have brought injustice to fore.”

He said the ongoing struggle will set the stage for similar movements in the future, as it is also intended at ensuring sites for those daily wagers residing in line houses in Kodagu district.

He also demanded withdrawal of cases booked against tribal leaders and action against police and forest personnel for committing atrocities on tribals in Diddalli.

Nirvanappa exhorted authorities concerned to suspend social welfare officer for trying to mislead the agitators and also officials and elected representatives by claiming the disputed site as ‘forest land.’

Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) district unit president Amin Mohsin said some vested interests are trying to instigate the tribals at Thattalli against fellow men at Diddalli.

He hinted at major movement in the making under the leadership of freedom fighter H S Doreswamy in the coming days, if the tribals are denied their right to land and dwelling.

Going a step ahead, Tribal leader from Diddalli J K Muthamma said, “A nude protest will be staged at the state-level if the tribals, who came out of the clutches of bonded labour in the district, are denied basic infrastructural facilities.” Tribal leaders S R Vasanth and Swamy, SDPI leader Abdul Adkar were present.