Ranchi, Dec. 21: Jharkhand Jungle Bachao Andolan (JJBA) activists today alleged that they possessed evidence to drag the state forest department to court for allowing illegal settlement of outsiders and non-tribals mushroom deep inside the forest.

According to JJBA spokesman Sanjoy Basu Mullik, a survey has identified seven illegal settlements at Tamar, Khunti, Murhu, Bundu and Sonahatu, all falling under Ranchi district.

Basu Mullik alleged that such settlements violate the provisions of the Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act, 1908, thereby robbing the tribals of their rights over the land.