: A tense situation is prevailing in Glenmargon, some 30 kms from here, after two vehicles belonging to a person of a tribal community were burnt allegedly by those of another tribe over dispute on grazing land.
Police said nearly 1,600 acres in the area were given to the Todas as grazing land by the Britishers to take care the needs of large number of buffaloes and other goats in Cherakkad Mund (Village). However, of late, some members of Kota tribe also had claimed the land and started converting it for agricultural purpose, they said.
When the latter erected a fence in the land reportedly encroached by them, some Toda members removed it, claiming it belonged to them as they held the deed for the land, metal deed-- given by the Britishers.
Irked, some miscreants torched a jeep and a two wheeler, belonging to one person last night, resulting in tension in the village.
Conversion of grazing land has resulted in destruction of nearby Sola forests, for which the forest department has also raised objection, since it would result in total loss of fertile land, leading to water problem, they said.
Police and forest department officials are keeping a tight vigil on the situation and taking steps to prevent further escalation of the problem.
