Kochi: A Munsiff court here on Thursday ordered the eviction of Dalit families living at Pariyathukavu near Kizhakkambalam by May 23, police said.

The order of the Perumbavoor Munsiff Court followed a report submitted by an advocate commission, which said that attempts to evict the families on Wednesday had failed due to strong opposition from local residents.

On Wednesday, police personnel in riot gear were deployed to assist the commission in removing 7–8 Dalit families allegedly living on around 2.5 acres of land. The ownership of the land, according to a Supreme Court order, rests with a private individual.

Eviction attempt turns violent, cases registered

The eviction drive turned violent when residents resisted the commission’s attempt to enter the area. Police used water cannons and detained several people to disperse the protest.

A case was later registered against 50 identifiable persons for allegedly obstructing public servants from discharging their duties.

An officer of Thadiyittaparambu police station said the case has been filed under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for preventing a public servant from performing duty.

Political intervention and inquiry ordered

The CPM intervened in the matter and set up a protection committee in the area on Thursday to ensure the safety of the families from further police action.

Senior CPM leader P Rajeeve, who visited the area, said the previous LDF government had planned to grant land rights to the residents after survey procedures were completed.

"However, the government changed before the survey proceedings could be completed, resulting in the use of force, which is condemnable. That is why a protection committee was constituted here.

"Earlier, we could protect them without any committee, but now the situation has changed, and only a public protest can provide them safety," he said.

He also urged the state government to complete the survey process and avoid any action on the land until then.

State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala ordered a comprehensive probe into the police action, with State Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar directed to submit a report within three days, according to an official statement.

The minister asked the inquiry to examine possible lapses by the police and suggest measures to prevent similar incidents in future.

The dispute relates to a property where a private individual has been declared the rightful owner, according to court orders, while the families have been residing there for years.

The eviction drive at Pariyathukavu has faced repeated attempts in the past but was unsuccessful. The affected families have challenged their eviction in court, but their petitions have been dismissed on multiple occasions.

They have claimed the land is government property, while the Supreme Court has upheld private ownership. The Kerala High Court’s directions to enforce those rights led to the eviction attempt.