Chikmagalur (Karnataka): An elderly couple from Durga village near Aldur in Chikmagalur in Karnataka has written to the Prime Minister, President and Chief Minister of Karnataka, requesting them permission for euthanasia in a row with forest officials.
According to reports, the couple alleged that the district forest officials have destroyed their cultivated coffee crops and threatened to take over the land if they do not make payment.
The elderly couple identified as Ramegowda-Sharadamma accused forest officials of demanding millions of rupees, and have written a letter seeking permission for euthanasia.
The reply came from the Prime Minister's Office and the Chief Secretary, Superintendent of Police, was instructed to report. But the couple complains that the brutality of the forest officials have not stopped yet.
"Give five lakhs per acre as one lakh per acre, we will not come near your farm. Your neighbours are also giving money. So we left them. Write a letter to the Prime Minister, President and CM, They will not come here. Do whatever you want, we won't allow you to cultivate here, " Couple alleged that that the authorities have said.
The couple has two children, one died a year ago and another is living separately.
The couple is growing coffee and pepper on 15 acres of land for 40 years. Meanwhile, the forest department seized the 10-acre plantation as forest land, destroyed their 30-year-old plantation in front of them.
The couple also said forest officers threatened that they will make a false complaint of theft of sandalwood and animal hunting on the couple if they do not pay 5 lakhs.
"The officers do not threaten anyone else. Many have encroached forest land, but officers are not taking any action. They are only threatening us," said the couple.
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