Kerala government sets up task force to evict 'encroachers' in Idukki

Idukki: The Kerala government has appointed a new task force to conduct an anti-encroachment drive in the Idukki district. The district collector is tasked with leading the task force. 

The government order has assigned a team, including the sub-collector and Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), to evict illegal occupants from government lands. The district police chief will provide the necessary security. The forest, Public Works Department (PWD), and local bodies must assist the task force, said the order. 

However, CPM leader and Udumbanchola MLA MM Mani said he would not allow the task force to interfere with the lives of people who migrated decades ago and businesses that operate in the hilly district. The encroachments of Tata and Harrisons Malayalam have to be addressed first, he added.

Earlier this month, the Idukki district collector submitted a report before the Kerala High Court revealing 326 land encroachment cases in the Munnar region of Idukki. The report also stated that the authorities had launched encroachment removal proceedings. 

The court also sought the Kerala government's opinion on creating a task force to drive out the encroachers.