Hyderabad, June 16 -- Forest officials foiled an attempt by non-tribal farmers to sow seeds in a reserve forest near Surdapur village in Kerameri mandal of Kumram Bheem Asifabad district on Tuesday, June 16, triggering a confrontation in which the farmers allegedly pelted stones at a forest department jeep.

The stand-off occurred in compartment number 67, a 450-acre tract falling under the Devudupally beat, where the Forest Department has been asserting its claim over roughly 100 hectare of land.

The farmers were attempting to begin sowing for the Kharif 2026 season when forest officials moved in, prompting the confrontation. Police were called in to bring the situation under control.

Forest Range Officer Azharuddin Ahmed said the land...