Rishikesh Land Row: Forest Dept. Entry Sparks Protests, Police Use Mild Force

• Forest Department began land measurement in Rishikesh (Shivaji Nagar, Meera Nagar, Bapu Gram, etc.) on Dec 27, 2025, following a Supreme Court order.
• Local residents fiercely protested the team's entry, leading to a three-hour standoff and requiring police intervention with mild force.
• The action is part of an investigation into leases on government forest land and vacant plots; officials assured no houses will be damaged.
• Residents claim to have lived in areas like Bapu Gram for three generations and blame the government for the situation.
• The situation remains tense, with residents planning non-violent protests; Mayor Shambhu Paswan is also involved.

Why It Matters: Rishikesh residents protest Forest Dept. land measurement ordered by SC, fearing displacement.