Kerala govt kicks off drive to free lands from religious outfit in Munnar

KOCHI: Kerala government officials on Thursday started a drive against encroachments in the hill station of Munnar by removing a large cross erected by a religious outfit to claim hundreds of acres of land near Suryanelli in the pretext of religious tourism.

The encroachment drive led by the Devikolam Tahasildar started early in the morning. A large contingent of police was present to help the 30-member team in its work.

To start with, the 15-feet cross and its concrete base was pulled down. A temporary shed that was constructed nearby was also burnt down by the team.


Earlier in the day, the team’s work started at a slow pace as they had to remove roadblocks put up by some local groups. A car left on the narrow road to Pappathichola near Suryanelli was removed using a JCB. The district officials had declared prohibitory orders in the area anticipating trouble.

Meanwhile, Idukki district secretary of CPM K K Jayachandran alleged that the revenue officials were not following procedures before embarking on the eviction programme.

According to him, the team was trying to spread fear in the area. He said the Collector should explain why prohibitory orders were declared in the area.

Local CPM workers have been speaking against the revenue department eviction programme. citing that they are moving against the poor and leaving out the big encroachers.