Amidst reports that the Vigilance Department has recommended to enlist V. S. Achuthanandan for his alleged nepotism in allotting 2.33 acres of revenue land in Enmakaje village to his relative during his tenure as Chief Minister, a group of Youth League workers on Thursday intruded the land seeking to distribute the property to landless people.
The surprise development, which could have wider ramifications in the State politics, occurred around 10 a.m. as a group of Youth League workers numbering around 100 led by district unit President Moideen Kollampadi and General Secretary A. K. M. Ashraf, barged into the controversial land and erected two temporary shelters there.
The slogan shouting activists asked the government to take back the controversial land “presented” to T.K. Soman, an ex-service man hailing from Alappuzha, the former CM’s home district.
A team of police led by Kasaragod Circle Inspector Babu Peringath destroyed one of the two shelters. However, the Youth League workers resisted the moves to demolish the other one till noon, sources here said.
League workers said the encroachment made by them on Thursday was symbolic and would intensify agitation till the “illegally allotted” land was taken back from Mr. Achuthanandan’s kin.
The UDF government decided to initiate probe by Vigilance department following a report submitted by the Kasaragod Collector suggesting irregularities in the land allocation.
Others named as accused in the case were former Revenue Minister K. P. Rajendran, former Principal Secretary Sheela Thomas and a member of the former Chief Minister’s personal staff besides Mr. Soman.
The investigating officer Habeeb Rehman, Superintendent of Police (Vigilance), Kozhikode, had reportedly submitted his report recommending action against Mr. Achuthanandan and others to the Vigilance Director. The official had reportedly claimed that there are solid evidences against Mr. Achuthanandan and others.
