Freedom fighter’s family gets land rights after long dispute

A long dispute over land allotted to a freedom fighter’s family was finally resolved after a protest near the office of the Revenue Divisional Officer near the Collectorate, with revenue authorities reaffirming the rightful ownership and promising to survey and hand over the land.

The issue began when Saraswathi, widow of freedom fighter Chellasamy of Keezhkurichi in Tiruverumbur taluk, found that another patta had been issued for the same land that her family had received in 2005 under a government scheme. When her family attempted to access the land, they were reportedly confronted by individuals holding the second patta.

Despite repeated petitions and appeals to revenue officials, action was not taken for years. On Friday, during a farmers’ grievance redress meeting, Saraswathi and her daughters staged a protest on the RDO office premises demanding immediate action. Associations, including Desiya Thennindhiya Nadhigal Inaippu Vivasayigal Sangam, led by its president P. Ayyakannu, raised the issue and staged protest with other farmers in front of the RDO office

Following the protest, Tiruchi RDO K. Arul intervened and confirmed that the land belonged to the freedom fighter’s family. They issued clearance confirming the original allotment and assured the family that the land would be surveyed and handed over without delay.

“This was a long-pending injustice to a freedom fighter’s family. The administration must ensure such errors are not repeated,” said Mr. Ayyakannu, calling for greater care in handling land records related to national heroes.