India, Sept. 28 -- Tribal rights group Lok Swashasan Andolan has demanded the suspension of Madhya Pradesh's top forest official over an August 6 directive concerning community forest resource (CFR) rights claims.

The organisation alleges that the directive, which asked forest officials to receive claims from Gram Sabhas, violates provisions of the Forest Rights Act (FRA).

It argues that the Gram Sabha and statutory committees, rather than forest officials acting independently, are responsible for processing and deciding forest rights claims.

The group has also raised concerns that the directive could allow forest officials to determine which areas qualify for CFR rights, bypassing procedures prescribed under the law.

In a September 2...