Villagers detain forest officials amid protest over deforestation in Rajanna-Sircilla’s ManalaResidents of Manala village in Rajanna-Sircilla district staged a protest against alleged deforestation and land encroachment, accusing forest officials of colluding with unknown persons. Agitating villagers also detained forest officials in the gram panchayat office. Speaking on the occasion, they said that unknown persons had cut down Eucalyptus trees cultivated in thousands of acres of forest lands by the forest department officials in the outskirts of Manala village. Local CI Venkateshwarlu visited the spot and examined forest land where trees were being cleared and land levelled. Villagers withdrew their protest when the CI assured to plant trees in encroached lands and protect them by arranging fencing.