Settlement reached in Pariyathukavu land dispute, state govt tells Kerala HC

Kochi: Kerala high court was informed on Tuesday that an amicable settlement had been reached in the dispute concerning the eviction of seven Dalit families from a disputed parcel of land at Pariyathukavu in Malayidamthuruth, in Ernakulam district.Advocate general K Jaju Babu, appearing for the state govt, submitted that the parties had arrived at a compromise through the intervention of the govt and sought additional time to implement the settlement. Recording the submission, the bench of Justice T R Ravi granted the state two weeks’ time to resolve the issue and adjourned the matter to June 29. HC was considering an interlocutory application filed by the Ernakulam rural SP, seeking more time to evict the seven families in compliance with earlier court directions.The dispute has its roots in a suit filed before the Perumbavoor munsiff court in 1984 concerning the ownership of 2.62 acres of land at Pariyathukavu. The suit was eventually decreed in favour of the late Sankaran Nair of Kizhakkambalam. Although the defendant families, who had been residing on the land, pursued multiple legal remedies thereafter, all such efforts proved unsuccessful, ultimately leading to the present controversy and protests.

According to the state, a settlement was reached during high-level discussions held on June 14. Under the agreement, the private landowner will allot five cents of land each to the seven families from within the disputed property. The state govt has undertaken to construct houses for the families within one year and provide the necessary road access. Until the new houses are completed, the families will be permitted to continue residing in their existing homes.

They will also be allowed to cut and remove trees standing on the property.Taking note of the settlement terms placed on record by the advocate general, HC adjourned the matter for further consideration.