KOTTAYAM: Kunjama, an octogenarian widow, her diabetic daughter who eventually lost vision, and critically-ill grandson are on the verge of eviction as they were asked to leave the ‘Poramboke’ land where they have been living for the past 22 years for the construction of the Kodimatha Bridge.
Although the work for the bridge has been suspended following protest over delay in removing the bund constructed at the site, Kunjama and her family cannot heave a sigh of relief as they will have to leave the land as per the direction of the authorities.
However, the authorities have not made it clear whether they would be rehabilitated.
When contacted, the Municipal Councillor of their ward, Sanil Thampi, told ‘Express’ that they alone could not be rehabilitated as there are many other landless people in Kottayam Municipality who are facing eviction threat pertaining to various development projects.
He, however, added that they are looking for vacant lands to be handed over to them. Kunjama, who walks with a help of a stick, said they were promised three cents of land elsewhere by the MLA who visited them even on the eve of the poll day, and that they are still hopeful of the same.
As the 84-year-old woman and her 52-year-old daughter Sally who lost vision due to diabetes cannot go for any work, they are completely relying upon Sally’s son Anoop who works as a loading labourer.
However, the fate has deceived them there also with the young man getting diagnosed with a serious renal ailment. Now, three of them are left in the lurch with nowhere to go and no one to depend.