Kerala - Kottayam   

Eight families evicted from 45-acre plot

Staff Reporter

Major role for Munnar grama panchayat in identifying encroachments

KOTTAYAM: Eviction from unauthorised encroachments in and around Munnar, by the Idukki district authorities, continued for the third consecutive day on Wednesday with the joint task force evicting eight families, all of them of Tamil origin, from a 45-acre plot in the Sevenmalais area.

The operation was delayed by over one hour on account of a communication gap between the Revenue and Police authorities who insisted on written request from the Revenue authorities for participating in the operations.

And, when the operation started by 11.30 a.m., it was the turn of the encroachers to create a dramatic situation as five of them dowsed themselves in kerosene in an apparent attempt to self-immolation.

However, the whole thing turned out to be a drama as they readily cooperated with the police who sprang into action in an attempt to `save' them.

Speaking to The Hindu, Ratan Kelkar, Sub-Collector, Devikulam, said they were expecting "outside intervention" during the operation on Wednesday. As such, necessary precaution was taken, he said.

Legal clearance

Meanwhile, it has been pointed out that the "direct action" campaign by the authorities might not continue for a long time as most of the lands involved in the dispute were embroiled in some sort of legal wrangle. Any action without clear legal clearance would only help compound the existing complex situation, it is pointed out. According to Mr. Kelkar, they would have to focus on the validity of the documents submitted by those against whom notices were issued.

Meanwhile, a conference of Revenue, Survey, Forests, PWD (Roads and Bridges) officials and the Munnar grama panchayat secretary held on Wednesday decided that the grama panchayat authorities would have a greater role in identifying the encroachments.

They would have to play a key role in verifying the documents. The task force, which is now acting at the behest of the Revenue and

Help for eviction

Forest authorities would extend all help for eviction and also demolition of unauthorised constructions.

Evictions in two sites at Chokranmudi and one in the Sevenmalais area would be completed soon. These three areas belonged to the Forests Department. The plots would be handed over to them for demarcating and securing the area, Mr. Kelkar said.

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