KOZHIKODE: There were lapses on the part of revenue officials at Chembanoda where farmer Kavil Purayidathil Thomas committed suicide due to the officials’ apathy on Wednesday night. This was stated by Mr P.H. Kurian, additional chief secretary, revenue, who visited the place on Saturday. “The preliminary inquiry has found lapses by the revenue officials. Pattayam is the major issue at Chembanoda. If the land in possession dates back to 1964 and earlier, pattayam should be given if documents are produced,” he told reporters after inspecting the files at the village office.
The pattayam issue is there in the neighbouring villages of Koorachundu and Chakkittapara also. He hinted that a sensible response from the officials could have averted the suicide. Mr Kurian would submit his report to the government. Later, he said in Kozhikode that the tahsildars would be held responsible for the fault of revenue staff. “The tahasildar would be the prime accused if any incident similar to Chembanoda occurs. They cannot merely vet the files forwarded by the village officers,” he said.
A monthly review meeting of officials, including district collector, RDO and deputy collector, would be held. He urged the revenue staff to behave politely and empathetically to people. The Muslim Youth League (MYL) workers demonstrated before Mr Kurian at Chembanoda urging him to waive off the loan of the farmer’s family. The police removed the workers, including its state general secretary P.K. Firoz. Mr Kurian also visited the house of Thomas and promised to help the family.
Official booked for abetting farmer’s suicide
The Perambra police has charged Chembanoda village office assistant Sileesh Thomas with abetting the suicide of farmer Kavil Purayidathil Thomas alias Joy.
The preliminary report submitted by the Perambra circle inspector at Kozhikode judicial first class magistrate court on Saturday said that the negligence of the official had led the farmer to take the extreme step on Wednesday night.
Mr Sileesh Thomas, who was recently transferred to Koorachundu village office, and Chembanoda village officer K.A. Sunny were suspended after the suicide. Thomas had handed over a note warning of suicide to the village officer a week earlier. Lokayukta also has suo motu registered a case. Upalokayukta K.P. Balachandran has ordered two officials to be present before him on July 7.
