KALPETTA: The CPM has got an unexpected weapon to attack the UDF when the High Court recently dismissed the plea of M V Shreyams Kumar MLA seeking a directive by the government to grant patta for the controversial 14acre land in the possession of his family at Krishnagiri in the Sulthan Bathery taluk. Shreyams approached the court a year ago when Adivasi Kshema Samithi (AKS) activists encroached the land. The tribal encroachers even pitched huts there, which were removed after a High Court intervention against the encroachment. Now, the AKS is all set to restart the agitation which was suspended after the High Court intervention.Though the LDF Government had put up a board on the land declaring it as government land, it was removed as Shreyams managed to secure a stay order from the court."Now, there is a High Court verdict in favour of the tribespeople. If Oommen Chandy is committed to the cause of tribals, the government should take over the land and distribute it among them," said CPM district secretary C K Saseendran, the architect of many land struggles. He pointed out that the High Court not only dismissed the claims of Shreyams Kumar, but also directed him to vacate the land before June 30."If Shreyams refuses to abide by the HC directive and the UDF Government fails to evacuate the land, the CPM will be forced to launch another land stir," he added. Making matters worse for the UDF, Adivasi Gothra Maha Sabha leader C K Janu and Rashtriya Maha Sabha leader M Geethanandan have also demanded takeover of the land by the government as soon as possible. Shreyams Kumar said he is yet to study the verdict. "I will be able to give my opinion day after tomorrow only," he said. It will not be possible for the UDF to take a soft stand towards Shreyams Kumar at a time when the government has launched a drive against the land encroachers in Munnar, it was pointed out.
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