Historic Agreement Ends Six-Decade-Old Land Dispute in Ernakulam

 Thiruvanathapuram: The Congress-led UDF government in Kerala won a major victory in less than a month after coming to power by amicably resolving a six-decade-old legal and social dispute involving seven Dalit families and the landowners at Maliyadom Thuruthu in Ernakulam district.

According to the state government, the heirs of the late Kannoth Shankaran Nair, the original claimant in the case, have agreed to surrender five cents of land each to the seven affected families. These new plots will be located right behind the families’ current residences within the disputed property.

The deal was finalised late Monday night during a high-level meeting convened by the Ernakulam District Collector. The talks were initiated by Higher Education Minister Roji M, John, with Kunnathunad MLA V P Sajeendran, senior government officials, and representatives of the families and landowners in attendance. The signed agreement will now be submitted to the Kerala High Court through the Advocate General.

The dispute concerns a 58-year-old claim over 19.30 acres of government Poramboke land by the descendants of Malayidom Thuruth Kannoth Sankaran Nair. Four years ago, the Supreme Court ruled in their favour, ordering the removal of occupants from the disputed 2.65-acre section.

Seven scheduled caste families facing eviction are descendants of Kalu Karumban, who decades ago fought against Nair over the land. They insist they’ve lived in the area for generations.

Advocate Commissioner Jayabal had tried 14 times since 2023 to carry out the eviction order, but each attempt during the LDF government’s tenure failed due to strong resistance. The 15th attempt on May 21 turned violent when a large number of police stormed the colony, tore down agitation shelters, and used water cannons on protestors, including elderly women.

This led to the intervention of Chief Minister V D Satheesan who called for an amicable settlement of the dispute.

The landowners have agreed to provide additional land for the construction of a three-meter-wide access road connecting the allotted plots, ensuring accessibility for the residents. The road will later be handed over to the Vazhakulam grama panchayat. A permanent boundary wall will be built to clearly separate the land retained by the private owners from the rehabilitated settlement.

The state government has taken responsibility for building new houses for all seven families. Each house will have a minimum built-up area of 1,000 square feet and will be completed through a sponsorship model. The houses are expected to be finished within one year.

The affected families will not be evicted until the full rehabilitation process is completed. They will continue to live in their current homes until the new houses are built and officially handed over to them. The revenue and police departments will oversee the implementation of the agreement.