Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Monday assured that no Dalit family will be left homeless as the government works on a resolution to the long-pending dispute involving residents of Pariyathukavu in Ernakulam district.
Amid criticism from Left parties over the handling of the issue, Satheesan, speaking after the Cabinet meeting, said the government's approach was focused on ensuring rehabilitation if eviction is carried out.
"Our stand is clear. If the court order is implemented, we will ensure alternative land and housing so that these families are rehabilitated. We will not allow them to be left on the streets," Satheesan said, responding to a query on the latest Kerala High Court directive to evict them from the land as per an Apex Court order secured by a private party earlier.
He said the government had already held discussions with senior officials and legal authorities, including the Advocate General, to explore settlement options and humanitarian relief measures.
Satheesan also referred to earlier attempts to enforce eviction orders in the case and alleged that the previous Left government had failed to effectively resolve the long-standing dispute.
He said the government has instructed the Advocate General to seek more time from the court after considering the situation of the affected families. He added that any further steps will be taken in line with legal directions while prioritising rehabilitation.
The Pariyathukavu eviction case refers to a long-running land dispute near Kizhakkambalam in Ernakulam, where Dalit families have been living for decades on land claimed by private parties.
A court has ordered eviction based on ownership disputes, but the case has turned controversial due to repeated failed eviction attempts and demands for rehabilitation of the families.
The issue has triggered political debate in the state, with both ruling and opposition sides trading allegations over responsibility for the prolonged dispute.
Attacking the previous CPI(M)-led Left government, Satheesan said, "I was shocked to see it--two former ministers from the previous cabinet are sitting in protest there. This is happening the day after our government's swearing-in." There was a 15th attempt to evict the residents, he said adding that those who secured the court order in their favour were going there for recovery proceedings.
"They are going for eviction. It is not seizure; it is eviction." "During the previous government's time, 14 court-directed attempts were made to evict them, but no effective action was taken. The previous government did not take even a small step to resolve this issue," the Chief Minister alleged.
"It is a private case filed by a private individual regarding land. Fourteen times, the court order was brought for enforcement, but nothing was done (by the previous Left government). Our government, on the very next day after coming to power, acted on it," he said.
He said the government immediately deputed Higher Education Minister Roji M John from Ernakulam to hold discussions with the protesting family members.
"We examined what can be done. Our decision is that if the court order is implemented, eight families should not be left homeless," Satheesan said.
