From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network-Madikeri (RJP)

Madikeri, Dec 21: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday December 20, directed officials to immediately rehabilitate tribals who have been displaced from their homes in Diddalli in Virajpete taluk in Kodagu district.

B S Yeddyurappa with agitators

Siddaramaiah directed Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya to ensure that alternative accommodation is provided for the tribals after receiving a representation from a delegation of activists led by Kannada actor-turned-activist Chethan.

The delegation urged Siddaramaiah to ensure that the tribals are rehabilitated as soon as possible.

Anjaneya will visit Diddalli on December 24. Before that, a meeting concerning the problem will be held on December 23.

Siddaramaiah said that the government is committed to rehabilitate the tribals and that it has also identified land for the purpose.

Recently, as many as 577 families were evicted from their houses by the Forest department as they had encroached upon the Devamachi reserve forest.

The issue came to fore after there were nude protests by some tribals. Since then, activists have been demanding that the government regularise the land and houses that the tribals are staying in or ensure that they are rehabilitated.

Earlier B S Yeddyurappa, the BJP state president, met the tribals in Diddalli and demanded that Siddaramaiah should visit Diddalli personally and rehabilitate the tribals. The tribals have been on agitation for the past 13 days.