Senior CPM leader and former minister M.M. Mani and CPM Idukki district secretary C.V. Varghese have violated the HC’s instructions not to make public speeches regarding the unauthorised construction of party offices in the district. Recently HC had expressed dissatisfaction about the CPM leader’s speeches in this regard. Court had also issued oral warning that further public statements would be considered as interference in the judicial procedures.
Mani and Varghese were referring to the HC’s control on constructions in thirteen panchayats in their home district, Idukki. Accordingly, District Collector issued Stop Memo. Mani said, HC may order to rehabilitate the people somewhere else if they (people) cannot live in Idukki. He demanded proper compensation to the people in panchayats. He said, his party would fight against all odds for the causes of the people.
Mani stated that the people including the judiciary do consume tea produced at Moonnar. Addressing a protest rally at Moonnar, Mani said, he does not mind if he is hanged to death for making these comments. If the livelihood of the people of Idukki is jeopardised, people will be rallied for agitation against the government. Interestingly he is one of the senior leaders of the ruling CPM. In another words he threatens that he is least bothered about executive or judiciary. Significantly, the court order is not against the construction of houses for any ordinary or BPL people, but the CPM party offices.
Mani added that people do not to have consider amicus curiae simply because he is appointed by the HC. He will be fought if his actions are against the ‘ordinary people’. Court should correct its anti-people stands.
Varghese said no ‘force’ will be permitted to close the offices of CPM. Court order will be faced legally, no worries about it. Kerala Land Development Act will be amended when the assembly meets on September 14. It will put an end to the restrictions imposed on the constructions in different parts of the district. Consequently, all CPM offices will function legally sans any legal issues.
Restrictions are imposed on constructions in Moonnar, Vellathooval, Pallivasal, Devikulam, Chinnakkanal, Bison Valley, Shathanpara, Udumbanchola, Mankulam, Marayoor, Idamalakkudi, Kanthalloor and Vattavada.
HC order came in the wake of the construction of the CPM offices despite a big and strict ‘NO’ from the High Court as they did not possess ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the concerned authorities. High Court Division Bench had issued an interim order on August 22 asking CPM to stop the construction immediately, but the party did not pay any heed. Report from Idukki suggested that the construction activities were going on even during the night of August 22. High Court has reportedly asked the District Collector to take immediate action to stop the illegal construction. Court had asked the District Police Chief to provide necessary forces for ‘stop operations’. Court has been considering various petitions praying for stopping the illegal construction. Court has instructed the local Panchayat not to provide door number, if at all the construction is completed.
Reports suggest, Idukki District Congress Committee (DCC) has alleged that the CPM office at Shantanpara is being constructed on a land which has been categorised as Cardamom Hill Reserve. Government Order issued in 2020 banned even the construction of labour accommodations aka layam there. DCC general secretary had got the reply from Right to Information that the CPM’s four storey building construction is sans NOC from Revenue Department.
It is reported that the Village Officer had issued a stop memo to halt the construction activities at Shantanpara. The Order had cited the rules and regulations. Still the CPM did not bother to stop the constructions.
High Court Division Bench has expressed his dissatisfaction and anger towards the violation of its Interim Order. Then Undumbanchola Tehsiladar has issued an order (on August 23) asking CPM to stop the illegal construction. It is reported to be as per the instruction from the District Collector.
The Idukki issue is the latest example of CPM’s arrogant stand that they are always above the rules and they (rules) are not applicable to them. Whether it is corruption, blasphemous remarks against Hindutva, Hindu Gods and Hindu philosophy, fraud in cooperative bank, they do not bother to comply with the rules of the land. If a corruption charge comes up against their leaders or their family members, party uses its lung power to overpower them. The Vigilance Department turns mute spectators
