More than 100 farmers from the Vilamundi forest area near Bhavanisagar have decided to stage a protest on August 14 (Friday) against the Forest Department, alleging attempts to evict them from agricultural land cultivated by their families for over a century.At an emergency meeting convened by the Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Protection Association in Bhavanisagar on Wednesday (August 12, 2026), the farmers alleged that the Forest Department had recently claimed ownership of the land adjoining the Vilamundi forest and directed them to vacate it.They said Forest Ranger Suresh had issued notices to some farmers to vacate the land. Subsequently, the Ranger, accompanied by more than 20 forest personnel, allegedly entered the fields, marked coconut trees and standing crops as encroachments and directed the farmers to remove them.The meeting, attended by farmers from the area and office-bearers of the association at the district, State and union levels, have decided to hold the protest in front of the Vilamundi Forest Range Office near Naal Road in Bhavanisagar at 10 a.m. on Friday. A resolution condemning the alleged “anti-farmer” approach of the Sathyamangalam District Forest Officer and the Vilamundi Forest Ranger was also adopted. Published - August 12, 2026 06:47 pm IST