Officials of the Revenue Department came under attack at Munnar on Wednesday as they were evicting encroachers. A member of the Land Protection Force was seriously injured in the attack.
N. Vijayakumar, 52, of Indiravilasam, Manakkadu, near Thodupuzha, was hacked by the encroachers and has been admitted to Tata General Hospital, Munnar. The incident occurred around 1.30 p.m. when the officials, led by Devikulam Section Officer Thulasi K. Nair, reached the plot having survey number 20/1 to evict the encroachers. While they were pulling down a shed, they were attacked by a three-member gang.
They attacked Mr. Vijayakumar who sustained serious injuries on the head. Hospital sources said he was out of danger.
The police have registered a case against Sathybhama, 40, of Kacheri settlement; her son, a minor; and their neighbour, Satheesh, 20.
Munnar Deputy Superintendent of Police V.N. Saji said a case under sections 308 (attempting to commit culpable homicide), 332 (deterring public servants from discharging their duty) and 34 (act done by a group in furtherance of a common intention) of the Indian Penal Code had been registered against the culprits.
Mr. Saji said one person was taken into custody in connection with the incident.
In spite of eviction by revenue officials, the land mafia encroaches upon land and erects sheds with the help of the local people. A revenue official said inaccessibility of the areas and lack of staff strength made it difficult for them to carry out follow-up action and physical monitoring of the areas cleared.