Pariyathkavu eviction drive should be completed by Saturday; Court issues strict order

KOCHI: The court strictly directed that the eviction drive in the hilly area of ​​Pariyathkavu in Ernakulam district be completed within two days. The Perumbavoor Munsiff Court issued strict instructions to the police. The court asked that the eviction be completed by Saturday. The court had also directed the Aluva Rural SP to provide adequate security for the eviction. The Munsiff Court took the tough stance based on the Supreme Court's directive.

The court ordered the eviction of eight Dalit families who have been living in Pariyathkavu for the past ten years. The eviction of seven Scheduled Caste families as per the Supreme Court order had ended in massive protests the previous day. This is the 15th attempt to implement the court order.

There is a strong protest in the area against the police's moves to evict the colony residents by force under the guise of a court order. Former Minister P. Rajeev had strongly criticised the current police action and the Home Department in the eviction controversy. He added that the colony residents were able to stay there for so long despite the court order in 2022 because of the humanitarian approach adopted by the then government.

The local leadership says that the current Home Department has failed to protect the poor colony residents. Even if the government is not a direct party to this issue, the Congress party is not fully appreciative of the excessive zeal shown by the police in evicting the families. The CPM decided to continue the strike until the colony residents are provided with land and houses. The eviction process took place on Wednesday. After the colony residents opposed the police's use of force, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala intervened and stopped the eviction process.