In response to the Forest Department's notices issued to the residents of Bagjhala in Gaulapar and the halting of various development projects in the area, the All India Kisan Mahasabha (AIKM) held a meeting calling for a mass protest in Haldwani on December 23.
Anand Singh Negi, the state president of the AIKM, said that the BJP-led state government for targeting poor families who have invested their life savings into building homes in Bagjhala. "First, the BJP government stripped these residents of their rights under the Gram Panchayat, and now, through the Forest Department, they are being harassed with eviction notices," Anand Negi stated.
He called on the state government to pass a resolution in the Assembly recognising the residents’ land rights and to begin the process of securing the necessary clearance from the Forest Department.
Dr. Kailash Pandey highlighted that development projects in Bagjhala, including new housing, piped water supply, and a government-constructed CC road, have been halted by the Forest Department. "This anti-people action by the Forest Department must stop," he said. Pankaj Chauhan urged residents to unite and intensify their democratic struggle to secure their rights.
The meeting resolved to demand the withdrawal of all notices issued by the Forest Department, a halt to further evictions, and the initiation of a process to grant residents permanent land ownership rights. Other demands included reinstating Bagjhala as part of the Pajaya Gram Sabha for upcoming Panchayat elections, restarting halted development projects, and lifting restrictions on new electricity connections.
