Waqf land dispute: Notification issued for protecting rights of Munambam residents

Thiruvananthapuram: The government has directed Justice C N Ramachandran Nair Commission to submit a report on how to safeguard the rights and interests of legitimate residents of the disputed land in Munambam. A notification has been issued, instructing the Commission to recommend actions the government should take in this matter.

The scope of the Commission’s evaluation includes the current status, nature and extent of the property under the old survey number 18/1 in the Vadakkekara village, formerly part of the Travancore State.

The Commission has been given a timeline of three months to complete its inquiry. The government plans to resolve the matter by examining the ownership documents of permanent residents. The Ernakulam District Collector has been tasked with arranging the necessary infrastructure, including office facilities, to enable the Commission to proceed with its work.

The ownership dispute over the land involves long-term residents and the Waqf Board. Following a court intervention, the Revenue Department ceased accepting land tax payments from the residents, which led to protests in Munambam. In light of the ongoing agitation, the government decided to appoint the inquiry commission to address the issue.