File a petition to stop all evictions: Seb Utpadak Sangh urges govt

The Himachal Pradesh Seb Utpadak Sangh has expressed deep concern and anguish over the ongoing drive of the felling of apple trees grown on forest land, following the orders of the High Court and has urged the state government for an immediate intervention in this matter. The organisation has demanded the state government to file a petition to stop all evictions till all legal questions are properly addressed.

While addressing a press conference, Rakesh Singh, former MLA from Theog and CPM leader stated that without any disrespect to the court, the sangh has a right to register its dissent and disagreement to the orders of evictions being passed since January 8.

He said that the Supreme Court, in a judgment titled Neetu Ram vs the Himachal Pradesh Government, had ordered that the cases of eviction need to be referred to the Chief Justice of India to constitute a larger bench as conflicting judgments have been made on similar matter of law. He has asked to maintain status quo till such matters are brought before a larger bench.

“Apple rootstock has developed from Malus Sylvestris or popularly known as crab apple and, therefore, it is very much a forest species. There was no reason to mention that apples are not a forest species,” he said.

Singha further said that the sangh has called for an emergency general body meeting of the farmers on Tuesday to be held in Hatkoti, Shimla district. “During the meeting, discussions will be held regarding the steps to be taken to stop the evictions. A mass movement will be launched to stop the evictions and the farmers will not hesitate from launching a jail bharo movement,” he said.

Himachal Tribune