SIT report recommends takeover of illegal property at Parunthumpara

A building constructed under Manjumala village near Parunthumpara in Idukki.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has recommended the takeover of a property, comprising five four-storey buildings, constructed by encroaching on government land on the Parunthumpara hills, near Peerumade, in Idukki district.

As per the SIT, headed by K. Sethuraman, Director, Police Training College, the property is situated in survey number 441 of Manjumala village, which encompasses 9,875 acres of government-owned land. However, the landowner, Sajith Joseph, a resident of Changanassery, is currently paying tax for a land in Peerumade village. As per the report, with the connivance of the revenue officials, he initiated construction activities in another village (Manjumala) on the basis of a survey number in Peerumade. The government had allotted title deeds for 5.73 acres of land to two persons under survey number 543 in Peerumade taluk. Mr. Joseph had purchased land from the title deed holders.

The report revealed that the construction of the five buildings, capable of accommodating 400 people, has been completed. A 50,000 sq ft tar road and a parking area have also been built, apart from a huge pond on the hill. “The massive amount of water storage atop the hill could be disastrous,” warned the report.

“After verifying land records, it was found that no title deed was issued for the land under the possession of Mr. Joseph in Manjumala village. The government can take over the land and buildings,” said the report.

Revenue files destroyed

Sources claim that the extent of government land encroachment and illegal constructions in Parunthumpara hills is bigger than in Munnar. “In Munnar, the SIT had revenue documents to verify the land records. But in Peerumade taluk, the revenue officials intentionally destroyed the revenue files, including the registers for title deed application and title deed issue and the assignment register. Verifying the authenticity of the title deeds was a huge task for the SIT,” said the source.

Recently, the SIT submitted a 774-page report to the government and the High Court detailing the illegal constructions and land encroachments in Parunthumpara. Officials said the High Court sought an explanation from the government on the encroachments based on the SIT report.

Collector’s directive

Meanwhile, Idukki Collector V. Vigneshwari directed Peerumade LA tahsildar to probe whether any illegal constructions are ongoing under survey number 441 of Manjumala village and survey number 534 of Peerumade village.