Batthan panchayat files plaint against Dheera SDM

The Batthan panchayat in the Sulaha constituency has lodged a complaint against the Dheera SDM to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court and Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hem Raj Berwa. The panchayat members alleged that the SDM allowed local residents to use JCB machines to clear government land, which had been planted by the panchayat in collaboration with the Forest Department during the last rainy season.

Addressing the media, panchayat pradhan Seema Devi and up-pradhan Sat Pal expressed dissatisfaction over the SDM’s actions. They claimed the panchayat was not consulted before the plantation was uprooted, despite Deputy Commissioner Kangra’s instructions to involve both the panchayat and the forest department in resolving disputes between villagers and the local body. The Forest Department was also reportedly kept away from the site during the operation.

Seema Devi and Sat Pal released copies of their complaints to the media. They further highlighted that during the plantation drive, Sat Pal had been assaulted by the same individuals who allegedly cleared the land. Although a case was registered and arrests were made, the accused were later granted bail by the courts.

The panchayat members criticised the SDM’s alleged partiality and called for action against him for undermining an elected body. They demanded accountability for the removal of trees and expressed concerns over administrative highhandedness.

When contacted, the SDM said as per revenue records, the disputed land is classified as “Gair Mumkin Rasta” (a government path) and accessible for public use. He denied knowledge of any plantation on the site and asserted that he was present for only 10 minutes. The SDM added that if plantations were removed, the Forest Department should take appropriate action against the offenders.