Police and forest officials today prevented about 180 tribals, including women, who had gathered at Pinoravoor Kudi near Kuttampuzha in Kerala's Ernakulam district, to forcibly occupy forest lands.

A 100-strong police personnel from Muvattupzuha had gathered at the area as the activists of the 'Adivasi Kshema Samithi' came in a procession to occupy forest land.

They were taken into custody and later released,police said.

The activists said this was a 'symbolic protest' demanding land and that they were protesting against the apathy of officials who, they said, were not implementing the government's policy on giving land to landless tribals.

Three huts constructed by them yesterday were removed by police.

In Cheruvally estate in Kottayam district, 20 families tried to occupy some estate land but were removed by police.

Tribal welfare minister A K Balan, told reporters that government was making all efforts to distribute land to landless tribals.

Forest minister Binoy Viswam told reporters at Thrissur that none would be allowed to occupy forest land.