Rishikesh, Dec. 29 -- Residents in Rishikesh expressed anger on Monday over the Forest Department's survey of 2,866 acres of government forest land leased to private individuals, which blocked railway tracks and led to stone pelting at officials and police personnel.

A resident said, "We request not to be troubled. Boards shouldn't be placed outside our plots. We have spent our life savings to purchase these homes. Where will we take our children? Has the government been asleep till now? Did the municipal council officers not know that houses were being built here?"

Bapugram Councillor Ravindra Rana added, "The action is being taken under the Supreme Court's orders. The Supreme Court has made its Chief Secretary a party to the case. The...