1 month ago
2
Tension prevailed astatine Malayidomthuruth adjacent Kizhakkambalam successful Ernakulam connected Wednesday (May 20, 2026) aft an effort to evict 7 Scheduled Caste families, pursuing a Supreme Court order, triggered protests and clashes with police. The eviction thrust was aboriginal suspended connected the directive of recently sworn-in Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.
The eviction astatine Pareeyathukavu Unnathi, a Dalit settlement, was the 15th specified effort by an Advocate Commission led by elder lawyer Jayapalan M.K. The determination follows a Supreme Court verdict 4 years agone successful favour of a backstage idiosyncratic successful a onshore quality involving 2.65 acres allegedly falling wrong 19.30 acres of puramboke land.
The tribunal ordered eviction of the occupants earlier measuring and demarcating the land. Residents, however, claimed that portions of government-owned puramboke onshore were included successful the disputed country and demanded a caller survey.
Tensions escalated erstwhile officials, backed by astir 200 policemen, arrived to enforce the order. Residents, including women, aged radical and children, blocked roads successful protest. One protester poured kerosene connected himself and threatened self-immolation astatine the protestation site, prompting the constabulary to usage h2o cannons. A pistillate who collapsed during the confrontation was taken to infirmary by the police.
CPI(M) person and erstwhile Kunnathunad MLA P.V. Sreenijin, who reached the spot, alleged that the eviction was being carried retired without addressing rehabilitation of the families and questioned the constabulary enactment nether the recently sworn-in United Democratic Front (UDF) government. He besides faced disapproval from immoderate residents implicit the erstwhile Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s alleged inaction.
The constabulary aboriginal withdrew aft Mr. Chennithala directed the State Police Chief to halt the eviction and debar force.
Mr. Jayapalan was escorted retired of the area. Defending the action, helium said they were lone implementing a tribunal bid and denied allegations of being related to the backstage idiosyncratic who secured the eviction order. He said helium would study to the tribunal the incidents unfolded during the eviction procedure.
CPI(M) State caput M.V. Govindan condemned the eviction move, saying that portion the constabulary had attempted to bash that 14 times during the LDF government’s time, determination was nary unit applied. “But successful 48 hours of the caller UDF authorities taking over, the constabulary resorted to unit against the residents,” helium said, adding that the enactment would defy attacks against radical belonging to the Scheduled Caste.
CPI(M) territory caput S. Sathish said his enactment would defy the eviction and support the residents. “The UDF authorities led by V.D. Satheesan is trying to enactment for the affluent by assaulting the poor,” helium said successful a statement.
