Talking to reporters here today, Chandra Shekhar said that the land had been given to him by the villagers for afforestation. ``I have not used it for my personal benefit. The land and the trees belong to the villagers and will remain their property. I am ready to hand it over any time they ask,'' he said.

Chandra Shekhar took the reporters around the forest to prove that he had not carried out any ``encroachment''. ``I fail to understand how somebody can call it `encroachment', when all we have done is plant trees to make the area greener. Compare this afforestation and that done by the Haryana Forest Department. While they have ruined the hills by planting kabooli keekar -- which is most unsuitable -- we have planted mahua and neem trees. The villagers have been deputed as forest guards and the fencing isonly to protect the saplings and plants.''

The former PM expressed surprise over the Haryana government's decision to retrieve the ``encroached'' land. ``I don't have anything to say on their decision and I do not want to be drawn into any controversy,'' he said.

Chandra Shekhar told The Indian Express that he had telephoned Chief Minister Bansi Lal in the morning, to acquaint him of the issue. However, he refrained from making any statement on his conversation with the CM.

Giving details of the land given to his trust, Bharat Yatra Kendra, he said that initially, the village had given him 35 acres and 17 acres were provided later. ``A resolution was passed by the panchayat and the land was given for fulfilling certain objectives related to village development. I cannot sell this land nor can I use it for personal gain. It can only be utilised for the achievement of these objectives,'' he added.

Chandra Shekhar said that many Haryana leaders had visited the area. ``But nobody ever raised anydoubts over the possession of land. However, I'm reiterating that I am ready to give the land back whenever they ask,'' he said.

He said that a naturopathy centre and a school would be set up on the land provided for his ashram.