Rajasthan Forest Officials Demolish Houses, Shops in Talabgaon in Kota District

Reported by

Ashish Gaur

Legal Data by

Edited by

Updated by

Published on

September 23, 2018

September 23, 2018

Updated on

September 23, 2018

Location of Conflict

Talabgaon

Kota

Reason or Cause of Conflict

Encroachment by Non-Right Holders (Other than Caste-based)

(

)

People Affected by Conflict

12000

Households Affected by Conflict

Land Area Affected (in Hectares)

15

ha

Starting Year

1994

State

Rajasthan

Sector

Land Use
Summary
Fact Sheet
Legal Data
Additional
Information
Resources
Images
Videos

On August 18, 2018, forest officials in Rajasthan demolished nearly a dozen houses and seven shops in Talabgaon in Kota district's Anantapur city allegedly without issuing prior notice. While the officials claim that the land comes under the category of forest land and belongs to the state, the residents refuse to evacuate, claiming ownership of the land as they have been living there for many years, in addition to demanding regularization of their locality. Spread across 15 hectares, Talabgaon is home to nearly 2,500 families who had settled there 50 years ago. Most of the residents have voter ID cards and water/electricity connection. In the last 20 years, many of them have constructed concrete houses and opened shops in the area. According to Ashok Kumar Jhalani, vice president of Anantapura Hitkari Society, a local organization fighting for the rights of the residents there, the land was not categorized as forestland prior to 1994. He claims that a few officials from the district administration ordered a land survey in 1994, following which the land came under the jurisdiction of the revenue department. Jhalani alleges that forest and police officials have been extorting money from the residents from time to time to allow them to continue living on that land all these years. But now when people are gradually refusing to grease the palms of the officers, the latter resorted to drastic steps, such as demolition of houses and shops. Following the demolition, councillor Razia Pathan, along with other local groups fighting for the rights of the residents, submitted a memorandum to the district collector, demanding regularization of the land and action against the officials who had ordered the demolition. Action on the memorandum is awaited.

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand for legal recognition of land rights

Complaint against procedural violations

Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Rural

Type of Land

Common

Type of Common Land

Forest and Non-Forest

Total investment involved (in Crores):

₹

Type of investment:

Year of Estimation

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

No

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict

Forest and Scheduled Area Governance Laws, Case Laws, Constitutional Law, Central/State Government Policy, Other

Legislations/Policies Involved

In re: T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad v. Union of India and Ors. (WP (C) No. 202 of 1995, Supreme Court)
In 1996, the Supreme Court expanded the definition of ‘forest land’ under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and directed states to identify and declare areas that were forests; irrespective of ownership or of whether they are notified, recognised, or classified as forest land under any law.
Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
Section 2: No state government or other authority may allow the use of any forest land for any non-forestry purpose without prior approval from the central government.
Constitution of India, 1950
Article 300A: Nobody can be deprived of their property save by authority of law.
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 383: defines extortion, which is a criminal offence
National Forest Policy, 1988
Para 4.8.1: The policy opposes regularisation of existing encroachments.
Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006
Section 3: Right to hold land and other community rights; Section 4: Vesting of forest rights with forest dwellers

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    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute

What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?

What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?

Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:

Forced evictions/dispossession of land

Lack of legal protection over land rights

Non-rehabilitation of displaced people

Non-implementation/violation of FRA

Legal Status:

Out of Court

Status of Case In Court

Whether any adjudicatory body was approached

Name of the adjudicatory body

Name(s) of the Court(s)

Case Number

Main Reasoning/Decision of court

Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:

Financial harassment

Whether criminal law was used against protestors:

Reported Details of the Violation:

On August 18, 2018, forest officials allegedly demolished shops and houses that led to protests and agitation among residents.

Date of Violation

August 18, 2018

Location of Violation

Talabgaon

Nature of Protest

Complaints/petitions/letters/memorandums to officials

Protests/marches

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

Kota District Administration , Rajasthan Forest Department

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

Resources Related to Conflict

  • News Articles Related to the Conflict:
  • Documents Related to the Conflict:
  • Links Related to the Conflict:

Image Credit:  

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Documented By

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Reviewed By

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Updated By

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Edited By

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