Government task force reclaims encroached land in Munnar following HC order

MUNNAR: The Munnar mission team successfully reclaimed over 18 acres of illegally occupied land, including a resort, in the Chinnakanal region. This action was carried out in compliance with a High Court directive. The encroachments spanned 18 acres and 10 cents of land at Sinkukandam, Suryanelli and Chinnakanal in Chinnakanal village involving a government official among the landholders. The homes on the encroached lands were sealed marking a crucial step in restoring the occupied areas.

Specifically, 16 acres and 45 cents in Survey No. 34/1, and 1 acre and 32 cents in 20/1 were reclaimed. Additionally, a resort constructed on 33 cents of government land within survey number 34/1 was taken over. However, the residents living in the encroached houses have not yet been evacuated. Roughly twelve individuals unlawfully occupied the land, which had previously been allotted to beneficiaries under the tribal resettlement scheme.

Legal action was initiated after contesting a notice to vacate the land in court, resulting in its seizure due to insufficient documentation. Only one location displayed a board indicating the court's ruling, facilitating the evacuation process. A 33-cent plot held by two brothers in Suryanelli was among those vacated, with three rooms of their residence sealed off.

Moreover, the land measuring three acres, owned by Charlotte Johnson and her sister Nadia along Chinnakanal Road, was successfully reclaimed. Government employee parents of Charlotte were present on the property during the process. The operation was carried out under the leadership of Idukki Sub Collector Dr Arun S Nair, Deputy Collector KP Deepa, Udumbanchola Tehsildar AV Josenand Tehsildar Seema Joseph. District Collector Sheeba George clarified that residents living in these areas had not yet been evacuated. To date, a total of 104.5 hectares of land has been recovered across 14 cases.