ALUVA: The hartal called by the Aluva Merchants' Association in protest against the demolition drive of the Revenue authorities was almost total in the town, as most shops in the area remained shut.

The hartal was total at Bank Junction, Railway Station and Old Market areas while it, reportedly, evoked mixed response in the other parts. The hartal was peaceful, the police said.

When asked what measures would be taken to face the demolition drive, Jabbar, secretary of the association, told The Hindu that it would be decided at the executive meeting of the association, slated for Saturday.

In the last couple of weeks, a survey by taluk authorities had found that Government land worth crores of rupees had been encroached upon in the heart of Aluva town, in an area stretching from Bank Junction to Aluva Palace.

Notices were served on 29 encroachers - individuals and commercial establishments. About 50 cents was retrieved on Wednesday when follow-up action was taken on 13 notices.

Revenue authorities estimated that nearly two acres could be retrieved when the encroachments, in terms of 29 notices, were evicted. Going by the value, which ranges from Rs.5 lakh to Rs.10 lakh a cent, the property would be worth crores of rupees.

This was in addition to the encroachments measuring over acres detected on the Periyar on the 45-km stretch from Illithodu in Malayatur village up to Kalamassery, a revenue official said. He said that eviction was carried out after serving notices and conducting a hearing to settle the disputes and claims. In many cases the period of notices was set to expire by Friday evening and Saturday. He said that unless there was a Government order to the contrary, the authorities would go ahead with the drive on Monday.

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