Date:18/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/18/stories/2007051808210300.htm

Kerala - Alappuzha

Anti-encroachment drive in Alappuzha soon

Staff Reporter

Large-scale encroachments in Kuttanad and along the NH

ALAPPUZHA: Encouraged by the Munnar encroachment eviction drive, the Alappuzha district administration has also swung into action.

A special team comprising the Revenue officials of the rank of tahsildar, deputy tahsildar, Revenue inspectors and village assistants will begin an eviction drive here in a couple of days, District Collector V.K. Balakrishnan said on Thursday.

While there have been reportedly large-scale encroachments in Kuttanad area where several resorts are allegedly located on encroached Government and `kayal' lands, there are hundreds of small-scale encroachments on both sides of the National Highway 47 as well, the officials said.

Mr. Balakrishnan, addressing a coordination and review meeting on the traffic situation in Alappuzha in his chambers, said the eviction would first concentrate on the NH-47.

"These encroachers will be given 24 hours starting from Friday to clear off, failing which stringent action under the relevant sections of the law would be taken against them," the Collector said.

Police officials present at the meeting pointed out that the traffic wing in Alappuzha was short of manpower.