Rishikesh, Dec. 29 -- Protest in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, turned violent on Monday as locals opposed the Forest Department's survey of 2,866 acres of government forest land leased to private individuals, as per Supreme Court orders.

The protesters blocked railway tracks and pelted stones at officials and police, prompting heavy security deployment.

Despite repeated persuasion by the police and the Forest Department, the protesters did not clear the highway or the railway track.

Given the sensitivity of the matter, the Senior Superintendent of Police visited the site late at night, reviewed the situation, and gathered information from the on-duty officers.

Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Singh intervened, and traffic was restored a...