Apple Growers Meet Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Demand Immediate Halt on Tree Felling and Evictions
SHIMLA | July 19, 2025 — In a strong show of unity, a delegation of apple growers under the banner of the Himachal Seb Utpadak Sangh met Education Minister and Jubbal-Kotkhai MLA Rohit Thakur today, seeking immediate government intervention to stop the felling of apple trees, land evictions, and house sealings being carried out in the name of forest encroachment.
Farmers and orchardists from Rohru, Jubbal, Kotkhai, Nawar, Chuharu, and Nankhari — many of whom have been directly affected — gathered in large numbers and submitted a memorandum to the minister.
They demanded that the state government step in and halt all evictions and tree cutting being carried out under the pretext of implementing a Himachal High Court order.
After the meeting, the apple growers held a separate assembly where widespread anger was expressed over what they called the government’s “casual and indifferent” attitude toward the crisis that has uprooted families and orchards overnight.
Addressing the gathering, Sanjay Chauhan, former mayor of Shimla and senior leader of the Himachal Seb Utpadak Sangh, said,
> “The administration is bulldozing the livelihoods of small farmers under the cover of court orders. Cutting thousands of fruit-bearing apple trees and sealing homes without a proper policy is unacceptable. The government must intervene or be ready to face a massive agitation.”
He also announced that the Sangh will go ahead with its planned protest to gherao the state secretariat on July 29, 2025, unless the government immediately puts a halt to the evictions and tree felling.
The meeting resolved to intensify the agitation at the grassroots level by holding village-level meetings and mobilising participation of farmers,Chauhan stated.
The Sangh also made it clear — the movement will continue until the government gives a categorical assurance to stop the eviction drive and protect the interests of small and marginal apple growers.
