KALPETTA: The indefinite hunger strike by Kerala Catholic Youth Movement (KCYM) before the Collectorate in solidarity with the family of late Kanjirathinkal George entered the third day on Wednesday. James, his son-in-law, is on an indefinite sit-in here for more than two years now. It was for the first time in the decades-long agitation a church organisation coming into the open demanding justice for the farmer, and hundreds of KCYM workers laid a siege to collectorate main entrance.
Former Union minister P.C. Thomas, who inaugurated the demonstration, said the state government denying their right to the land was more brutal than killing all of them. Congress leader N.D. Appachan delivered the keynote address. KCYM Mananthavady diocese general secretary Sumbin Kozhupputhadathil led the agitation.
George and his brother Jose bought the twelve acres of Janmam patta land in 1967. In 1977 forest department had an attempt to evict the farmer claiming that the department had notified the property under Kerala Private Forest Vesting and Assignment Act. As the move was illegal, the forest tribunal in a verdict recognised the right of the farmer in 1978. But later forest officials fabricated evidence and won the case.
The LDF government in 2008 ordered to recognise the ownership of the farmer over the land after a report of then revenue principal secretary Niveditha P Haran. But the move caught in legal disputes. In 2009 a vigilance probe also revealed fraudulent malpractices and also recommended action against few forest officials. Now the case is under the consideration of the Supreme Court.
