Tribals stage sit-in alleging illegal detention by forest officials in Mancherial

Tribals staged a sit-in in Mancherial alleging that forest officials illegally detained and harassed a youngster without evidence. They demanded his release, while officials said he was being questioned for his involvement in forest-related offences

Mancherial: Tribals alleged that forest officials detained a youngster without concrete evidence and harassed him. They staged a sit-in in front of a forest range officer’s office, demanding the release of the youngster who was detained in connection with alleged forest encroachment at Dandepalli mandal headquarters on Thursday.

Tribals from Singarayapet village accused forest officials of torturing the youngster under the guise of investigations into cases booked against him and others in the past. They faulted the officials for picking him up without the knowledge of his family members and detaining him for over five hours. They warned that the protest would continue until the youngster was released.

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Forest officials, however, said the youngster was involved in the felling of trees in the village forest and was being interrogated. Another person, Kodi Sudhakar, was also detained for his role in previous forest crimes.