Revenue dept. completes proceedings to resume encroached land at Chokramudi

Revenue department reclaims encroached land at Chokramudi in Idukki after canceling title deeds, protecting government land.

The Revenue department has completed all proceedings to resume the encroached land at Chokramudi in Idukki.

The departmental action is the culmination of the struggle of the natives of Bison Valley panchayat in the valley area of the Chokramudi hills, who formed an action council, Chokramudi Protection Council, seeking protection of the hills.

Revenue officials said it was rare for local residents to form a people’s movement seeking protection of government land.

Council member Baiju Balakrishnan reported the encroachment and constructions in August 2024. “We formed the council the same month itself and started a protest to reclaim the government land. The Chokramudi Protection Council included the Muthuvan Tribal Committee and SC/ST members. Hundreds of people live in the valley of Chokramudi, and the hills are the source of drinking water. In case of a landslide on the hills due to the constructions, it will pose danger to the people in Bison Valley,” said Mr. Balakrishnan.

Last week, the Revenue department cancelled four title deeds of 13.79 acres of encroached land and notices were served on those who purchased the land to vacate the property within 48 hours. On completing the notice period, the officials placed a board on the property that it was government land.

“We cancelled thandaper (prior land document) numbers of four cancelled title deeds in Chokramudi. Once the thandaper number is cancelled, the transactions of all other title deeds under it become invalid,” Devikulam Land Assignment (LA) Tahildar Susamma K. said.

The cancelled title deeds are 504/70, issued to Njanadas (3.94 acre), 501/70, issued to Manivel (2 acre); 233/65, issued to Guru Swami (3.75 acre); and 219/65, issued to Karuppa Swami (4.10 acre), in Devikulam taluk.