Shimla, Feb 21 (UNI) A fresh controversy has erupted in the apple belt of Shimla district after the Apple growers accused the district administration of initiating eviction proceedings in alleged violation of Supreme Court directives.
The Association strongly protested the eviction action carried out in Mandal Panchayat of Jakhod village (Ramnagari Chak) in Jubbal subdivision. It termed the move as “contempt of the Honorable Supreme Court’s order dated December 16, 2025”.
Members of the Association’s Jubbal and Rohru units, including Raman Tharta, Sanjay Kumar, Jai Singh and Naresh Kumar, joined affected families in staging a protest at the site. Following the demonstration, officials from the Forest and Revenue Departments reportedly withdrew without taking further action.
According to the Association, notices dated February 18 were served only through WhatsApp to the affected families and eviction proceedings were initiated within three days, on February 21. The growers alleged that the notice failed to clearly specify the legal provisions under which the action was being taken. They claimed that officials did not provide satisfactory clarification when questioned by residents and Association representatives.
The Association further contended that the state government has yet to frame a clear policy in line with the Supreme Court’s directives and the provisions of the Forest Rights Act, 2006. In the absence of such a policy, it said, summary eviction proceedings are unjustified.
The Association has called upon the public to attend its Jubbal unit conference at Hatkoti on February 24 to raise the issue democratically and demand a fair policy framework.
