Madikeri: Finally, the displaced tribals who lost their huts at Diddalli have got justice. The 18-day agitation concluded on Friday with the successful intervention of Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya.

After listening to the grievances of the tribals at Diddalli, the minister held a closed door meeting at Zilla Panchayat for three hours.

SC/ST Welfare Committee president K Shivamurthy, member D S Veeraiah, MLA K G Bopaiah, MLC Veena Acchaiah, senior advocate A K Subbaiah, actor-activist Chethan, Nirvanappa, Sirimane Nagaraj and Social Welfare Department principal secretary Manivannan,

Deputy Commissioner Richard Vincent D’Souza and chief conservator of forest Manoj Kumar. At one stage, the agitators demanded rehabilitation at Diddalli. But the officials said Devamachi is a reserve forest and they cannot be rehabilitated at Diddalli. Senior advocate A K Subbaiah argued that Diddalli was a Paisari land. It was decided to convene a high-level meeting under the leadership of chief minister Siddaramaiah to decide on it. To provide a temporary rehabilitation to 577 families, the department handed over a cheque for Rs 1 crore to the deputy commissioner.

Later speaking to reporters, the minister said the labourers who had taken shelter at Diddalli were working in a coffee estate. Their demand for houses is justifiable. “I have directed the officials to take measures to distribute sites to the families. The tribals will leave for their work from Saturday. It is the duty of the government to make tribals good citizens of the country.”

The charges against officials that they had taken money from tribals to sanction forest land will be verified. “The activists who have been protesting for the rights of tribals should have patience. I have directed the officials to provide tarpaulin, water, temporary shed and toilet facilities to the families,” he said.

The minister said the state government is committed to provide house for houseless. If the tribals have suitable documents, then land will be sanctioned under Forest Rights Act, he said.

Madikeri Chalo protest organised by the Bhoomi Mattu Vasathi Hakku Vanchithara Horata Samithi and Karnataka Pragathipara Sanghatane in the city was successful. Protesters from different parts of the state took part in the protest.

Addressing the protesters, senior advocate A K Subbaiah said, “The eviction of tribals was a conspiracy of the landlords. The forest officials have joined hands with them. An attempt was made to suppress the agitation.”

“Congress, BJP and JD(S) belive in suppressing the poor. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has failed to take up people-friendly programmes in the last three years. The government has committed atrocity against 577 families by clearing their huts,” he charged.

IGP (Southern range) B K Singh said Maoist activities have not been noticed in the district. It was a rumour that 10 Maoists have entered the district from Kerala. For the security purpose, ANF personnel were deployed at Diddalli, he clarified.