Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Chandy seeks action against encroachers

Special Correspondent

Thiruvananthapuram: Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy has said the Government should act immediately instead of conducting further inquiry into the large-scale encroachments and unauthorised constructions in Munnar.

In a statement here on Thursday, he pointed out that Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran and Forest Minister Benoy Viswom had visited Munnar and apprised Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan of the violations taking place there. He alleged that it was to save those involved that a probe by officials was being conducted.

He wanted to know why the Chief Minister who had disclosed that he had received the Ministers' report and that the Cabinet meeting on Thursday would take a decision on it had changed his stand within 24 hours.

Mr. Chandy welcomed the Chief Minister's visit to Munnar. But the logic of his visit after officials had been deputed to probe the issue was incomprehensible. It could provide an answer to the people's poser as to why Mr. Achuthanandan who had visited Mathikettan was not going to Munnar.

Mr. Chandy felt that the Chief Minister was going to Munnar after tying his hands on his own. He could take action only after getting the officials report. That made his visit and perceptions meaningless. The decisions taken by the Government were also suspect in the context of the disclosure of the names of CPI(M) leaders behind the encroachments in Munnar. He warned of a strong agitation by the United Democratic Front if the Chief Minister tried to save the culprits.

The officers under a cloud were being allowed to continue in their positions during the pendency of the inquiry. Even though the Chief Minister had warned of action against them even that had been toned down subsequently

The Leader of the Opposition contended that he was convinced of the large-scale encroachments, unauthorised constructions and the distribution of bogus title-deeds taking place in Munnar. The Ministers who had visited the place were also understood to be convinced of the goings-on. In spite of their intervention, unauthorised action was continuing there with impunity. Delay would lead to the loss of Government land and the escape of the culprits. He contended that when encroachments took place in Mathikettan, the UDF Government took immediate action to protect the State's wealth. He wanted such action to be taken in Munnar also.

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