In a major crackdown on illegal occupation of forest land, the Nainital district administration and police executed a large-scale anti-encroachment operation in the Ramnagar reserve forest area early Sunday morning. The drive, which stretched into the afternoon, resulted in the demolition of at least 51 unauthorized structures built inside the protected forest zone.
Heavy Police Deployment Ensures Order During Demolition
The operation was conducted under a significant police presence to prevent any major disruptions. Authorities had divided the Puchdi area of the Ramnagar reserve forest into five distinct zones to manage the situation effectively. Over 100 police personnel, including three Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs), three Circle Officers (COs), and eight inspectors, were deployed to maintain law and order.
Despite the precautions, several residents of the cleared dwellings protested the administration's action. In response, police detained a few individuals who attempted to obstruct the proceedings. Nainital's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Dr. Manjunath TC, stated that legal action was initiated against those who tried to interfere with the official drive.
Drive Part of CM Dhami's Directive Against Demographic Change
SSP Manjunath clarified that the operation was carried out following direct instructions from Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The chief minister has directed officials to act firmly against attempts to alter the demographic landscape through illegal encroachment on government and forest land.
"The drive was conducted in accordance with directions from chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to act against attempts at demographic change through encroachment on public land," the SSP confirmed. Earth-moving machines and bulldozers were used to raze the illegal constructions that had come up on the forest department's land.
Legal Notices Issued, Social Media Under Scrutiny
Prior to Sunday's decisive action, the forest department had formally issued notices to the encroachers in the area, laying the legal groundwork for the demolition. The joint team that carried out the operation included officials from the district administration, Public Works Department (PWD), forest department, and local police.
SSP Manjunath emphasized that the entire operation was executed strictly as per legal provisions, given that the structures were illegally built on designated forest land. He also issued a stern warning regarding the spread of misinformation, noting that police are actively monitoring social media platforms.
"We are also monitoring social media to track misinformation or rumours that could trigger unrest. Anyone spreading misinformation about Sunday's legal action or attempting to mobilise people against it will be treated as attacking the govt and will face strict legal action," the SSP warned.
The administration has signaled that this is not an isolated event. Similar anti-encroachment drives are planned for the coming days across the region to reclaim government land and forest properties from illegal occupation.
