Community seeks support against Forest Minister

MYSORE: Forest Minister CP Yogeshwar has come under fire for allegedly asking the forest authorities to set fire to a cattle pen belonging to the Bedagampana community, which has settled in MM Hills for seven centuries.Progressive leaders of the region have decided to join the protest to be held on March 31 in MM Hills.This was announced by writer Abdul Rasheed, after a request made by Puttappa, president of Bedagampana community, at a discussion on Prof K Ramadas’ ideologies, held at Maharaja College Centenary hall on Sunday.Puttappa informed the progressive leaders, writers and MP H Vishwanath that Yogeshwar, who is playing DGP Harikrishna in an upcoming Kannada movie ‘Attahasa’, visited MM Hills for a shoot recently.On seeing the cattle pen and livestock inside the forest, he questioned us, besides directing the authorities to evict their settlements and set fire to the pen, he said.“Following the order, the authorities set fire to the cattle pen, destroying our livelihood, which is dairy farming. The high handedness of the forest authorities has deeply hurt us,” he said.An announcement was made by writer Abdul Rasheed requesting progressive leaders and writers to participate in the protest. It is said that forest authorities also issued notice to Bedagampana community families to shift their settlements.They are settled in 26 villages including Padasalanattha, Thokare, Doddame, Tulasikere, Nagamale, Indiganattha, Keeranahola, Haleyur, Kombadikki and Mendare in MM Hills.