Overview

• On July 20, forest department teams escorted by police began planting saplings in Keshavapatnam village to reclaim land officials say was encroached by the Multani community.
• Members of the Multani community resisted the operation by pelting stones, prompting forest staff and police to respond in kind.
• Eleven forest officials were injured and a police vehicle was vandalized, with five of the injured taken to RIMS-Adilabad where their condition is stable.
• Senior forest and police department heads visited the site to review security measures following the violence.
• Forest authorities say planting will continue on disputed tracts unless cultivators can produce Forest Rights Act survey slips from 2008 to validate their claims.