THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan gave a clean chit to MLA S Rajendran in the encroachment issue, CPM veteran V S Achuthanandan on Tuesday criticised the Devikulam representative. Without taking Rajendran’s name, VS said the government should take strict action against supporters of land mafia and those who threaten Revenue officials. He backed the Devikulam Sub Collector who moved against land mafia.
“He has been protecting the government’s interests. Such officials should be supported,” he said. “The LDF had promised the protection of land and environment during the election. The government is committed to the cause. In November 2016, the High Court issued an order in this regard. The Assembly panel has also come out with its report against encroachment,” he said.
VS also did not spare the UDF and Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala. “The land which was evicted during the LDF’s regime was later encroached upon during the UDF rule. Ramesh Chennithala was the then Home Minister. Was he sleeping then?” asked VS.
VS had initiated a drive against land encroachment in Munnar when he was the CM. Chennithala had termed his mission a failure and VS elaborated the actions taken during his stint. “During the LDF rule, 92 buildings were demolished, The Left Front has a different approach towards encroachers and settlers. Isn’t it a fact that Chennithala’s party was a part of all encroachments?”
VS also attacked the UDF over the Kovalam palace issue. Referring to the legal advice that a civil case should be filed in the issue, he urged the government to follow the recommendation.