Families Oppose Chief Minister’s Statement on Pariyathukavu Eviction, Say No Rehabilitation Talks Held

Perumbavoor: Families facing eviction at Pariyathukavu have publicly challenged statements made by Chief Minister V D Satheesan in the Kerala Legislative Assembly regarding their rehabilitation. Residents of the settlement said the UDF government had not held any discussions with them about rehabilitation and had not provided any assurances so far.

The families alleged that the Chief Minister made announcements in the Assembly about their relocation without consulting them. Residents stated that they had never agreed to any rehabilitation proposal and rejected the Chief Minister’s claim that the affected families had consented to rehabilitation.

According to the residents, they remain firm in their demand for ownership rights to the land on which they currently live and will not accept the rehabilitation package being proposed by the government. Their public opposition has intensified pressure on the UDF government over the eviction issue.

The controversy stems from an eviction-related operation carried out on May 21 at Pariyathukavu. Residents alleged that police used excessive force during the action, which lasted for more than an hour. They claimed that women and children were also subjected to force during the operation.

Residents said that, unlike previous visits by officials, this time an advocate commissioner and a large police contingent of around 200 personnel arrived at the site.

However, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala had defended the police action, stating that it was carried out under pressure from court directives. He also responded to allegations of police excesses by saying that some women fell after being sprayed with water by the fire force while authorities were trying to prevent a person from pouring petrol on themselves.

The residents and their supporters argue that the government’s actions reflect an anti-people approach, adding that poor families who have lived in the area for decades are being displaced from their homes. They have also criticized the government for defending the police operation despite concerns raised about the treatment of women during the incident.