The decision of the Revenue Department to go ahead with the land acquisition process in Koyilandy and Vadakara taluks for the widening of NH-17 is once again likely to stir up the local people in protest.
Leaders of a local action council have hinted that they will boycott the land document verification process planned by the revenue authorities in two villages as part of the final phase of the acquisition.
According to them, the government is planning to complete the land acquisition process without fulfilling the promises given to the land holders. As per the Revenue Department decision, the land verification process in Vadakara taluk will begin on April 17. Once the process begins, the land holders of the already surveyed areas will have to submit nearly 10 documents for final verification and prove their eligibility for any future claims on rehabilitation package.
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But the plan is likely to be interrupted, with the protest brewing from the local action committee.
According to the action committee leaders, they will boycott the document verification process and take out a march to the offices of the Tahasildars in Koyilandy and Vadakara. The first of the protests, a march to the office of Tahasildar in Vadakara, will be held on Wednesday.
In Koyilandy taluk, the land document verification process, as per the announced schedule, is on April 23 and it will continue till April 29. Here also, the action committee members will stage public protest on the date and boycott the proceedings.
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The main allegation that the local people raise against the Revenue Department is that “it has failed to keep up the promise on the rehabilitation package.” N. Bhaskaran, a resident in the region, says the families who are likely to lose their land have been given the assurance that their properties will be taken over by the government only after the proper implementation of the rehabilitation package.
“The current move is totally against what they have already promised and it target to complete the acquisition on a fast-track basis without addressing the concerns of local population,” he claims.
The local action committee leaders have already asked the residents in the project area to quit the document verification process and join the march.
They have also made it clear that “no property encroachments” will be tolerated until the government fulfils its promises given to the land holders and implements the rehabilitation package on time.