Residents of Ajjeer village in Kothagiri on Wednesday condemned the Forest Department’s ultimatum to around 150 families residing in the village to vacate their houses in a week’s time.

According to sources, the department had recently issued ultimatum to 150 families asking therm to vacate their houses within a week, failing which they would be forced to move out and the houses would be razed down.

“More than 300 families have been living in this village for the last several decades. The Government has constructed community halls, schools, good roads for the people. The Forest Department’s order asking us to vacate has come as a rude shock to us,” the villagers said.

Around 800 residents gathered at a main junction and urged the department to withdraw its ultimatum. “If they do not relent, members belonging to Badigar community will stage protest against the department. Every member belonging to our community residing in the district will participate in the protest,” they said.

As a first step, the meeting decided to stage a demonstration in front of the Collector’s office on December 24.