CIVIL LIBERTIES-Policemen Obeying Their Superiors

collected in open meetings of the villagers in the areas near to the proposed protected forests. The Government of Madhya Pradesh had laid down a good procedure for collection of information through open public meetings, in its order relating to the regularisation of encroachments on forest lands. (Madhya Pradesh Government Forest Department Order No. 5/18/78/10/2 Bhopal, October 24, 1978. Sec also S D Kulkami, "Encroachmerits on Forest Lands: The Experience in Maharashtra", EFW, November 19, 1979.) The procedure laid down in the bill appears to be far from satisfactory and will deprive all the people living near protected forests of all their customary claims, essential for their living. The same practice should be followed to ascertain people's rights over protected forests and village forest.