Korku community to hold mass protest to protect forests:Around 2,000 people to gather in support of government action; counter-protest also expected

Korku community of Khandwa and Burhanpur districts has called for a mass protest in Khandwa on July 13. Along with social media campaigning, meetings are being organised in villages to mobilise support. The community has demanded action against alleged encroachers in forest areas. A large number of community members are expected to gather in support of Forest Department action. The protest will begin at 10 am on Monday, July 13, in Khandwa and will continue until their demands are addressed. It is being organised under the banner of the Korku Samaj, Khandwa-Burhanpur. Claim of over 2,000 participants To make the protest successful, the Korku community organisation has started holding meetings across villages in Khandwa and Burhanpur districts. According to community leaders, a large number of people from Burhanpur district will also reach Khandwa to join the protest. The organisation claims that around 2,000 members will gather at the Khandwa Collectorate premises to demonstrate and submit a memorandum to the administration. Key issues behind the protest It has been stated that the Korku community has been protecting forests for years and considers water, forests and land as the foundation of its culture and livelihood. The community alleges that outside encroachers are occupying forest land, affecting forest resources, the environment and tribal rights. It is also alleged that those opposing encroachment are being threatened, falsely implicated in cases, and that illegal tree cutting is taking place in forest areas. Support claimed for Forest Department action The community has described recent action taken by the Forest Department to remove encroachments as correct and necessary. It has been stated that forest conservation will ensure the safety of water, forests and future generations, and that the community will fully support legal action by the department. Main demands of the movement Both sides may come face to face on July 13 Meanwhile, those accused of encroachment have also announced plans to protest against the administration on July 13. This raises the possibility of one group supporting forest conservation and encroachment removal, while the other group protests against the action. This could lead to both sides coming face to face in Khandwa on the same day, creating a challenge for maintaining law and order for the administration. However, no official statement has yet been issued by the district administration or the Forest Department. Attention will now be on security arrangements and preparations ahead of the proposed protests on July 13.