Attempt to evict family for not paying rent in Thodupuzha; landlord arrested

Kottayam: A landlord has been arrested here for attempting to evict a family who failed to pay him rent this month. The house owner identified as Ilanjikkal Thomas blocked the path to the house and disconnected power and water connections after the tenant Mathew Vallikkunnel, a daily wage labourer, could not pay the rent due to lockdown crisis.

When the local residents came to the rescue of the family, Thomas unleashed his dog. Following this, police arrived at the place and arrested him. Mathew and family alleged that Thomas had threatened them that if they did not get the rent on time, he would chop off Mathew's legs.

Mathew and family are residing in a small house. There are only three bulbs in the house and they are surviving on the mercy of the neighbors and locals. Mathew's wife is a heart patient. The couple has a five-year-old son. They used to pay Rs 1500 as rent for the house.

"The landlord came here on April 15 morning and said that he should get the rent and he can buy ration only if we gave him the rent. When we told him that we cannot leave the house, he blocked the path and disconnected water and power connections. We had paid the monthly rent in the previous four months," Mathew told Mathrubhumi.

Following the incident, the local residents formed an action council for Mathew's family. The municipality assured that arrangements will be made to find a land for building a house for Mathew.