KOCHI: A long-standing land dispute involving Dalit families facing eviction at Pariyatukavu near Keezakambalam in Ernakulam district has been resolved after Kerala government-led talks, with each affected family set to get five cents of land and a house at the same site.
The breakthrough came after a critical meeting chaired by Higher Education Minister Roger M. John and attended by representatives of affected families, landowners, officials and representatives of local residents on Saturday evening, according to an official statement.
With both parties accepting the consensus formula reached during the discussions, the incitement committee canceled its protest.
The dispute concerns several Dalit families who have been residing for decades on land claimed by private parties. A court had ordered their eviction based on property claims, sparking demands for their rehabilitation and political controversy.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting held late on Saturday, John said the agreement was reached after taking into consideration the interests of both the landowners and the families affected by the court ruling.
Under the settlement, residents in the same property will be allocated five cents of land each in addition to access road facilities. He said that the government would build houses for them within a year.
The minister also said that families will be allowed to continue residing in their current homes until the new homes are completed.
The two sides agreed to sign the settlement agreement within two days. The agreement will be filed before the Kerala High Court through the Solicitor General on June 16, he added.
The officials, including the Muvattupuzha Revenue Divisional Officer and DySP, have been tasked with ensuring smooth implementation of the agreement until the housing project is completed.
Representatives of the agitation committee welcomed the settlement, saying it was reached after the landowners agreed to allow families to continue living on the property and provide them with five cents worth of land and houses.
She also said that it was decided to withdraw more than 15 cases registered against the backdrop of the protests and incidents related to them.
VP Sajeendran MLA, District Collector G Priyanka, Ernakulam Rural SP Sundarshan, Additional District Magistrate K Manoj and other officials and public representatives attended the meeting.
The state government recently assured that the seven Dalit families facing eviction will not be left homeless and will be provided with land and housing.
Chief Minister V D Sathisan had tasked John, who is in charge of Ernakulam district, to hold talks between the two sides to find a permanent solution to the issue.
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