Pinarayi promises not to act against farmers

CHIEF Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has made it clear that the apprehensions raised by the Kerala Congress (M) against certain provisions in the Kerala Forest Amendment Bill will be examined seriously, KC(M) chairman Jose K Mani told reporters on Monday, after leading a delegation to meet the CM.

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Jose said the CM assured him that the government will not take any measures detrimental to farmers and inhabitants of high-range areas. The KC(M) says around 1.3 crore residents of 430 panchayats that share their borders with forests will be affected by the bill. The contention raised by the party includes the amendment of Section 63 of the Act that allows forest officials to keep arrested persons in their custody for a longer period than earlier, before they are produced at police stations.