The Public Land Protection Force (PLPF), which has been designed for evicting encroachments on public lands, is all set to be expanded to all the districts in the state.
The proposal of the State Land Bank for extending the service of PLPF is under the active consideration of the government. The PLPF, which is now deployed only in Idukki, will be extended to other districts after it was found to be effective in tackling encroachments on public lands.
The proposal for setting up the Protection force in other districts is with the government, according to special officer and Assistant Commissioner, Land Assignment, D Sajith Babu.
Sources said that there will not be any delay in implementing the proposal to extend the service of the PLPF in other districts.
They said that the decision was taken in the wake of increasing encroachments on public lands. The government is very keen on evicting encroachers and also to curtail illegal encroachments on government lands, they said, adding that the Protection Force though having to face many hurdles was very much vigilant against all illegal encroachments.
The Protection Force has been formed to act as supporting staff of the District Collector in physically evicting the encroachments while in need, doing routine surveillance duty and to act as a deterrent force against encroachments on public lands.
The officials claimed that there was a decrease in the level of encroachments after the formation of the PLPF. In Idukki, PLPF commander N Vijayakumar said that they could bring down the encroachment though they faced many challenges. The PLPF has been bestowed with many powers. On detection of fresh encroachments the member of PLPF can physically remove trespassers after informing the same to the Platoon Head.
In case of difficulties in physically removing encroachments, a case should be registered against the encroacher at the local police station under the Kerala Land Conservancy (Amendment) 2009.