Kochi: Devikulam is now facing an agitation that is curious for more than one reason. First, it’s being spearheaded by the leading party in the ruling front against a government official. Second, it is continuing despite the district administration withdrawing an order which the protestors said forced them to launch the agitation, triggering speculation about its real motive. The agitation for the removal of Sreeram Venkatraman as Devikulam sub-collector has entered 10th day despite the district administration withdrawing the order stopping the issuance of possession certificates for the people in the Anchunad villages comprising Marayoor, Kanthalloor, Keezhanthur, Vattavada and Kottakamballur.
The district administration has issued the order following the government decision in this regard, but the same was withdrawn immediately in view of the difficulties caused to people with genuine grievances, said a revenue official who pleaded anonymity. Blaming the well-entrenched land mafia in the area for the agitation, the official said that resolute action by the sub-collector against the illegal resorts and land transactions is the main trigger for the demand for his removal. A top government official told DC that the government had struck upon spurious land transaction using title deeds obtained in the name of landless Dalits and has decided to investigate them.
“The land mafia behind such deals is also a worried lot, and are backing the agitation,” the official said. There are several instances of such deals in the area, he said. The modus operandi is to obtain the title deed in the name of the landless Dalits and them procure the power of attorney for transferring the land. The source said the persons engaged in such deals are rattled as the sub-collector has unearthed several such cases in the area.
The agitation against the sub-collector has been spearheaded by CPM even as the assembly committee headed by CPI MLA Mullakkara Ratnakaran has called for action against illegal resorts in Munnar, including demolition of the buildings if necessary. S. Rajendran, CPM leader and Devikulam MLA, has already expressed his opposition to the report by Mr Ratnakaran, saying its implementation will result in job loss to several people. According to the revenue officials nearly 60 resorts in the area are located in ecologically sensitive areas and most of them are constructed in violation of the rules and regulation. A huge rock falling over one such resort at Pallivasal village on Monday has revealed possibilities of the disaster that is waiting to happen in the region.
