Shimla, Jan. 28 -- Pointing towards the lack of training of officials in dealing with cases of encroachments and unauthorised occupation of government land, Himachal Pradesh high court (HC) has directed the state chief secretary (CS) to ensure at least five days of training of officials, including divisional forest officers, assistant conservators of forests, divisional commissioners or other officers, at the state's Judicial Academy.

The directives were issued by high court bench comprising of justice Vivek Singh Thakur and justice Bipin C Negi while disposing of two petitions regarding encroachment upon forest land by large number of villagers by planting or sowing apple plants, potatoes, peas and raising construction. The petition poi...