HC turns down plea to extend time frame to evict encroachers

The Kerala High Court has turned down a plea by the Kochi Corporation to extend the time frame to evict encroachers from the ‘poramboke’ off the Konthuruthy river, if needed, with police assistance.

The court had, on December 16, directed the civic body and the Revenue department to evict encroachers within four months. It had further ordered that steps be taken to rehabilitate those who would be evicted from the encroached land.

A total of 126 families were living on the ‘poramboke’ land. The Corporation had recently decided to form a 10-member committee, including two councillors from the divisions concerned, to represent the interests of the families who would be affected by the eviction.

The Konthuruthy Action Council had sought clarity on aspects like rehabilitation and compensation. It added that families were unwilling to spend on the maintenance of their houses, many of which were in bad shape, due to the ‘lack of clarity’ on these matters.