Massive protests erupt in a Dalit settlement in Ernakulam, Kerala, over a land dispute. FIR filed against 50 people for obstructing police action.
A Dalit settlement in Kerala’s Ernakulam district witnessed a massive uproar during an eviction drive. Police announced on Thursday that a case has been filed against approximately 50 identified individuals for obstructing government work during the drive.
The incident occurred in the Pariyathukavu area, where a long-standing dispute has been ongoing over the ownership of a piece of land. Residents prevented the police and the accompanying Advocate Commission from carrying out the eviction proceedings.
This action stems from a property dispute in which a private individual has legally established ownership of the land where these Dalit families have lived for many years.
An officer from the Thadiyittaparambu police station stated that a case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for obstructing a public servant from performing his official duty, taking a tough stand against the protesters.
Amid this tense situation, political activity has also intensified. The CPI(M) has formed a special protection committee to ensure the safety of families in the area from any potential police action.
Subject to a visit to the affected area, senior CPI(M) leader P. Rajeev spoke to reporters. He clarified that the previous LDF government intended to grant land rights to the residents in accordance with the rules after the survey work was completed.
Rajeev stated that the government in the state changed before the survey process was completed, leading to the administration’s use of force, which is highly condemnable. He stated that a protection committee has been formed to address this situation.
The CPI(M) leader also claimed that while they could have protected these people without a committee, the situation has now changed and only a public protest can provide security to these families.
He urged the state government to take the necessary steps to complete the survey process as soon as possible. He also demanded that no other punitive action be taken regarding the disputed land until the survey is completed.
This eviction drive in Pariyathukavu has been a contentious issue for several years. According to reports, the administration has made several attempts to clear the area in the past, but all were unsuccessful.
On Wednesday, the dispute turned violent when protesters began threatening suicide. They completely blocked the path of the heavily deployed police personnel equipped with anti-riot equipment.
Given the presence of women and children at the protest, State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala immediately intervened. To prevent the situation from getting out of control, he ordered the police to withdraw from the area.
Meanwhile, the affected Dalit families have repeatedly approached the courts against their eviction. However, their appeals have been dismissed each time.
These families have consistently claimed that the land they live on is government property and not owned by any private individual.
On the other hand, the Supreme Court has upheld the ownership rights of the private individual in the legal battle. In light of this decision, the Kerala High Court directed the enforcement of the private individual’s rights, forcing the administration to launch the eviction drive.
Rajan Chaudhary
Courtesy: Hindi News