V.S. Achuthanandan says illegal constructions will be stopped.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Cabinet on Wednesday decided to form a special zone covering Munnar and its neighbouring villages and evict encroachers from the area in three months. Idukki Collector A.J. Rajan, revenue divisional officers, tahsildars and village officers in charge of the encroached areas in the hill resort will be shifted.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan told mediapersons after a Cabinet meeting that Kottayam Collector Raju Narayanaswamy would be posted as the new Collector in Idukki. A new team of revenue officials would replace the officials being shifted out of the district. Officials found responsible for the encroachments would be suspended and proceeded against.

Ordinance

The Chief Minister said an ordinance would be promulgated for the formation of the zone — for protection of the areas — on the basis of an inquiry report of Principal Secretary (Revenue) Nivedita P. Haran.

The Cabinet approved the report and decided to appoint Additional Secretary in the Chief Minister's Office K. Suresh Kumar as special officer for implementation of the report. A police team headed by Inspector-General of Police Rishiraj Singh would assist Mr. Suresh Kumar. The team with 300 to 400 members would ensure that the encroachers do not reoccupy the evicted areas.

A Cabinet sub-committee with Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran will oversee the evictions and demolition of unauthorised constructions at Munnar and the neighbouring areas. Forest Minister Benoy Viswom, Electricity Minister A.K. Balan, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Law Minister M. Vijayakumar and Minister for Local Self-Government Paloli Mohammed Kutty will be its members.

All unauthorised constructions would be stopped. The encroachers had breached the laws applicable to Kannan Devan Hills, which specified that the land should be used only for agriculture and allied activities. Arrests, filing of criminal cases and demolitions would be done as is required.

Sharmila Mary Joseph would be posted as Kottayam Collector in place of Raju Narayanaswamy.

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