The Kerala government will provide land and houses for the seven Scheduled Caste (SC) families facing eviction at Malayidomthuruth near Kizhakkambalam in Ernakulam, Chief Minister V.D.Satheesan told the Assembly on Tuesday.
Replying to a calling attention motion moved by Congress MLA V.P.Sajeendran, he said that the government is trying to solve the issue involving two private parties amicably.
“In the past, 14 attempts were made to evict these families based on a court order. The 15th attempt was made on the day after our government was sworn in. The government intervened to contain the tensions. Minister Roji M.John, who is in charge of Ernakulam district, chaired a meeting of the parties involved. Through the Advocate General, we got a two-weeks extension from the High Court on the eviction order. The people there have agreed to the government’s suggestion of providing houses and alternate land. We will not abandon these families,” said Mr.Satheesan.
He said that the government will examine whether the cases filed against the families during previous attempts to evict them can be withdrawn.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) MLA K.N.Balagopal said that “the real issue is the police violence” unleashed on the families during the eviction attempt.
Refuting these allegations, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said that the police did not take any action, except the deployment of water cannon when one of the protesters attempted to self-immolation. “When I came to know about the issue, I ordered the forces to be withdrawn immediately. The police did not take any violent action against the families,” he said.
Revenue Minister A.P. Anilkumar said that attempts have been made to identify 40 cents of land to provide 5 cents each to the eight families. However, suitable land has not yet been found in Vazhakkulam panchayat or Kunnathunadu taluk, he added.
The eviction drive at Malayidomthuruth was initiated based on a Supreme Court verdict four years ago in favour of a private individual in a land dispute involving 2.65 acres allegedly falling within 19.30 acres of puramboke land.
Published - June 02, 2026 01:18 pm IST
Source: The Hindu - India News
