In a disturbing incident in the village of Sembiyanmaadevi near Ulundurpet, Kallakurichi district, 15 families engaged in cattle grazing were subjected to undue harassment by the local Forest Department. These families have been raising over 1,000 cattle in a forest-adjacent area for years. They have paid a specific fee to the Forest Department to obtain grazing permits, but for the past three years, they have not received the necessary passes, despite having paid the required fees.
On the day of the incident, Forest Department officials visited the grazing area and objected to the cattle grazing in the forest zone, citing the risk of the cattle damaging saplings. They issued a directive to dismantle the enclosures (pattis) used by the herders for grazing, using JCB machines to dig trenches around the area. The herders, in turn, filed a complaint with the police, alleging the destruction of their property.
Adding to the controversy, a video surfaced showing Forest Department officials demanding a ₹50,000 bribe for issuing a permit for grazing. The video quickly went viral, raising concerns about corruption and the exploitation of poor farmers. The herders refused to pay the bribe, which allegedly led to the department’s actions.
In response, the Tamil Nadu Grazing Society, led by State President Rajeev Gandhi, staged a protest, demanding that the false cases filed against the herders be withdrawn and that their grazing rights be reinstated under the Forest Rights Act of 2006. The protestors also called for strict action against the Forest Department officials involved in the bribery and destruction of the grazing areas.
The herders have now lodged a formal complaint with the police in Elavanasurkotai, urging immediate action against the responsible officials for their unethical conduct. The situation has sparked widespread outrage, with demands for justice growing stronger.
