Forcible eviction: Tribal farmer attempts suicide after being abused by forest officials in Mancherial

Farmer Thukaram tried to take the extreme step when the officials reportedly abused him for refusing to vacate the area where he was living earlier in the core of Kawal Tiger Reserve

Mancherial: A tribal farmer Rathod Thukaram attempted to die by suicide as he felt humiliated after being allegedly scolded by a Forest official at Gaddamguda village in Jannaram mandal on Thursday.

Thukaram tried to take the extreme step when the officials reportedly abused him for refusing to vacate the area where he was living earlier in the core of Kawal Tiger Reserve.

---

He was rushed to a hospital in Luxettipet and underwent treatment. He said that he was disheartened after the officials scolded him for refusing to leave the spot. Meanwhile, some villagers, carrying Thukaram along with them, staged a protest demanding action against the official.

They alleged that the officials were harassing the tribals under the guise of protection of wild animals. They charged that the officials were forcibly vacating the tribals at Gaddamgudam.

On Tuesday, the Forest officials drew flak for demolishing around 22 huts illegally erected by tribals at Gaddamguda. A local person lodged a complaint against the dwellers with Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) RM Dobriyal, prompting the officials to take action against the occupants.