Thiruvananthapuram: All evictions in Idukki have been suspended until an all-party meeting is convened and a list of encroachers on government land is drawn up. Earthmovers have been barred in ecologically fragile Munnar. At a high-level meeting here on Friday, chief minister Pinarayi blamed Idukki Collector G. R. Gokul and sub-collector Sriram Venkitaraman for the modus operandi employed in Munnar evictions and warned them that “officials who do not work for the government will not be able to continue in service”. Both officers were present at the meeting along with power minister M. M. Mani, revenue minister E. Chandrasekharan, chief secretary Nalini Netto and revenue principal secretary P. H. Kurian.
Mr Vijayan also said that pulling down the cross using earthmover and without informing the government was wrong. “Officials are bound to work for the government. They will not be part of government if they do not fulfill their responsibility. It was wrong to impose 144 after midnight and use the land protection force personnel to remove the cross without informing the police”. Mr Vijayan clarified that the priority is to evict big encroachers. The district administration will have to prepare a list of encroachers forthwith and entrust it to the revenue secretary, on the basis of which discussions should be held with senior police officials.
The meeting decided to organize a grand title-deed distribution mela for a minimum 10,000 beneficiary families on May 21. The district administration should organize surveys to demarcate Government-private land in all villages in Munnar. Officials should be custodians of land. The meeting also decided to delegate powers to grant NOCs for house construction, now resting with Revenue department on the basis of a High Court order of 2010 Mr Vijayan iterated that the Government policy distinguished between settlers and encroachers and wanted to ensure the distribution of unconditional title-deeds to those having up to 4 acres as on January 1, 1977.
One lakh families, including tribal, are awaiting title-deeds in Idukki. Mr Vijayan also said that survey number anomalies should be rectified immediately and people should not be harassed on mere technicalities. The Government policy is to evict encroachers but carry it out with discretion. Take people’s representatives into confidence and ensure cordial relationship between the district collector and district police officials. Convene regular meeting for this and consult Power Minister M M Mani, who hails from the district.
