People’s anxiety continues even after government’s unofficial withdrawal from Silver Line project

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the withdrawal of revenue officials it seems the government has stepped back from its earlier decision to implement Silver Line at any cost. However, the government is not backing down from its decision to take to court all those who tried to stop the laying of survey stones for the project.

The Additional Chief Secretary has ordered the Land Revenue Commissioner to call back the 205 officials appointed for confiscating land for the project. In the meantime, the government decided not to withdraw the criminal cases against thousands of people for blocking the laying of survey stones.

As the government is not ready to admit that it is withdrawing from the project, the people are in doubt about the 955.13 hectors of private land that was selected for laying the survey stones. Seven thousand yellow stones were laid for 197 kilometers by K-Rail.

The authorities are washing their hands from the issue by saying that the government notification was not to confiscate the land but a survey to lay the yellow stones. In effect, the fear of criminal case and survey notification will not leave the people.

It was calculated to demolish the homes and shops of 9000 people and confiscate 955.13 hectors of land.

250 cases were registered across eleven districts. Even when the High Court suggested that withdrawing the cases will give a great relief to the people, the government is not willing to back out from its decision to continue with the criminal cases.

Those who got arrested for destroying public property must deposit an amount equivalent to the destroyed property to get bail. One stone mill be charged Rs.5000. Two hundred individuals have received summons till now. Many have got the notice to pay Rs.5000 to Rs.10,000 for breaking Covid protocols. Many women are also in the list of accused.

Charge sheet will be submitted in the case of destroying public property. Arrest and remand would not be done. The government can consider withdrawing the case at a latter stage. There is a Supreme Court verdict which does not allow withdrawing cases against those who indulge in destroying public property.

As the government did not officially withdrew from the project, there is a possibility that the local bodies might not give permission for any building activities on the land.