IDUKKI: After a lull, the eviction juggernaut has started to roll in Munnar. Revenue Department officers led by Devikulam tehsildar P K Shaji on Tuesday took over nearly 27 acres at Lakshmi in Pallivasal village from the illegal custody of a private party.
According to officers, the land belonging to Survey No. 435 was encroached upon by a certain Jolly Paul and his son Jacy of Kottur House, Nadama, Ernakulam. Under the cover of the patta (title deed) of one acre, the duo encroached upon the adjacent 27 acres of the Revenue Department and planted coffee.
“Moreover, they also brought four families here to take care of the land and placed a board stating ‘Kallarackal Coffee Estate’ as well,” said an officer.
The eviction was carried under the direction of Devikulam Sub-Collector Sriram Venkitaraman and a board was put up stating the land belonged to the government.