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VS wants Mani to give up Law

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM July 4. The Leader of the Opposition, V. S. Achuthanandan, today reiterated his suggestion that K. M. Mani should give up the portfolio of Legal Affairs.

Participating in a discussion on the demands for grants for the Forest Department, he said this would go a long way in preventing the encroachers from establishing with the aid of fake documents their claim over the forests of Mathikettan.

He said that, already, there were indications that the Revenue Department, handled by Mr. Mani, was soft-pedaling on its responsibility to present before the court the facts relating to the cases filed by the encroachers.

Ten persons had approached the High Court against the eviction process being initiated at Mathikettan. The High Court referred the cases to the Kattappana Sub Court. While the Forest Department produced before the court the records in its possession to defend the cases, the Revenue Department totally abdicated its duty, Mr. Achuthanandan said.

He said the same game would be replayed in the upper courts where the encroachers might go if they lost their cases in the lower courts. Then it would be up to the public prosecutors, who would be taking instructions from Mr. Mani, to defend the State's case. ``If Mr. Mani handles the portfolio of Legal Affairs, the court verdict is sure to be in favour of the encroachers,'' he said.

This suggestion brought Mr. Mani to his feet in the Assembly. ``What if I were to propose that you relinquish your role as the Opposition Leader in favour of Kodiyeri Balakrishnan? Your wish (that I give up the portfolio of Legal Affairs) is not going to materialise,'' he told Mr. Achuthanandan.

Mr. Achuthanandan shot back with the remark that it was quite natural for Mr. Mani to wish some one else to be the Opposition Leader. ``Your discomfort is quite understandable,'' he said.

He welcomed the Government's decision, in response to the recommendation of the Additional Chief Secretary, N. Chandrasekharan Nair, who inquired into the Mathikettan issue, to take action against the Revenue Officials and Forest Officials answerable to the forest encroachment.

``However, it is strange that you have allowed the men who had devastated the forests and taken over the land go absolutely free. The enquiry report does not appear to have said anything about these powerful men. I would like the Government to clarify how you propose to proceed against them,'' he said.

Mr. Achuthanandan said the names of the encroachers were available with the Government. ``You can ask the tribal activist, C. K. Janu, for the list. She has come out with the details of how many of the encroachers belong to this party and how many to the other party. You do not have to make any concession if LDF people are also involved,'' he said.

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