MUNNAR: The second task force appointed by the government started the evacuation of encroachments in Munnar on Thursday as per the instructions of the High Court. The team vacated the encroachment of 02.2482 hectares (5.55 acres) of government land in Chinnakanal village under survey number 209/2.

Following this, the revenue team acquired 90.3645 hectares (224.21 acres) of land and buildings at Anaviratty Village in Devikulam Taluk as per the instructions of the Collector. A total of 229.76 acres of encroached land was evacuated.

Meanwhile, CPM Leader M M Mani MLA criticized the eviction process undergoing in Munnar. Tensions flared in the ruling LDF alliance when CPI leader K K Sivaraman stated that the eviction was a collective decision of the left government and that it would not be stopped.

Amidst this hullabaloo, CPM district secretary C V Varghese said that the collector assured that further eviction would be stopped. However, it took no time for collector Sheeba George to deny it. Revenue Minister K Rajan said action will be taken against major encroachments.

"Migration and encroachments are two different things. The government's aim is not to evict those who own less than five cents of land. There are no precedents before the state in the Munnar mission. JCBs and black cats won't be the face of this mission. The mission should not be seen as cinematic action." the minister said.

Meanwhile, LDF convener E P Jayarajan supported M M Mani in this issue.