Archive · 20 Jul 2025
Forest Staff, Podu Farmers Clash in Babjipet Forest
Imagine some people, the Multhani community, are farming on land that the forest department says belongs to the forest.
The forest people went to plant trees, but the farmers got angry because they think the land is theirs.
They threw stones and damaged the forest people's vehicles.
Some forest workers got hurt.
The forest people say the farmers need to prove they were farming there before 2008.
They are doing this to reclaim the land.
The farmers are saying that it's their land.
Forest personnel and Multhani podu cultivators clashed in Babjipet forest.
The clash occurred when forest staff attempted to plant saplings on claimed podu land.
Multhani cultivators reportedly pelted stones and damaged forest department vehicles.
Three forest employees were injured and received medical treatment.
Officials are reclaiming forest areas occupied without proof of cultivation before 2008.
- Who
- Forest staff and Multhani podu cultivators.
- What
- A clash between forest personnel and podu cultivators.
- When
- Sunday
- Where
- Babjipet forest in Keshavapatnam, Adilabad district.
- Why
- Disagreement over land ownership and cultivation rights.
Forest Department's Stance
Multhani Cultivators' Stance
Land Ownership
Forest Department's Stance
Claims land reclamation is part of a program to reclaim forest areas.
Multhani Cultivators' Stance
Claims that the land belongs to them, claiming podu land rights.
Cultivation Rights
Forest Department's Stance
Requests proof of cultivation prior to 2008 survey to validate claims.
Multhani Cultivators' Stance
Claims that forest staff have been planting trees.
- Location
- Babjipet forest, Keshavapatnam, Ichoda mandal, Adilabad district
- Groups Involved
- Forest personnel and Multhani podu cultivators
- Injuries
- Three forest employees
- Underlying Issue
- Land ownership and cultivation rights
- Legal Reference
- Forest Rights Act (2006)