The hill ranges farmers action committee has demanded action against Revenue and Forest departments officials who have refused to allow farmers in Koorachundu and Kanthalad villages to remit their land tax.
O.D. Thomas, chairman of the action committee, told presspersons here that they would organise a series of agitations to press its demand. They would organise a convention in Koorachundu on June 29 to formally make a declaration of its decision to launch a stir. It would be followed up with a convention in Kanthalad village on July 6, dharna in front of forest department office at Peruvannamuzhy on July 8, a protest march to Koorachundu village office on July 15, a protest march to Koilandi village office on July 20, and a march to the Collectorate in Kozhikode on July 25.
On July 30, the action committee has called for a hartal in the hilly parts of the district.
Mr. Thomas alleged that the revenue department officials had insulted the entire farmer community by refusing to abide by a decision taken at a meeting held in the presence of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on their demand.
The government order issued in the light of discussions at the meeting held on January 16, 2013, had made it clear that farmers should be allowed to remit land tax if there was proof of in favour of the farmers in land document or, title-deed or land area register. The action committee’s complaint is that the officials concerned had refused to consider data recorded in land area register for accepting land tax.
