THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as the Revenue Department mulls action against illegal constructions in the hill ranges of Munnar, major allies within the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) are up in arms.
Stirred up, the factions have demanded the ouster of many Revenue officers, especially Devikulam Sub-Collector, who has taken firm action against illegal resorts and land transactions in Munnar in the past.
These issues are likely to be discussed in the CPM state secretariat meet scheduled to be held on March 23 and 24 and the state committee on March 25 and 26. This gains significance with the CPM itself spearheading an agitation demanding removal of the Sub-Collector who had stopped issuance of possession certificates in eight villages. It is also to be noted Devikulam MLA and CPM leader S Rajendran had come out against the report of the Assembly Committee on Environment, stating the implementation of the panel recommendations would render several people jobless.
The committee had recommended demolition of all high-rises in the hill town which flouted environment rules and stop construction of commercial buildings towering over the specified height. It has also recommended acquisition of land given for agriculture purposes in violation of existing norms.
Meanwhile, highly placed sources said land mafia in the region was stoking up the agitation. They alleged political parties in the hill ranges were hand in glove with the mafia.
Despite Revenue Minister E Chandrashekaran’s claim the government would initiate steps in conformity with the High Court order and the committee’s recommendations, the brewing dissent among major constituents is likely to send a wrong message to the officers.
Some of the officers have already raised apprehension over the move to replace the Sub-Collector as they fear the government is trying to soft- pedal the whole initiative.
The CPM leadership in Idukki has already come out against the Sub-Collector. While the CPI state leadership and the Revenue Minister have backed the officer, the party’s district leadership is visibly unhappy with the same.
The CPM always had its reservations regarding encroachments and high-rise buildings in Munnar. The party was even critical of veteran CPM leader V S Achuthanandan’s eviction operation in Munnar when he was the Chief Minister.