Despite a big and strict ‘NO’ from the High Court and having no ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) from the concerned authorities, ruling CPM goes ahead with the construction of party offices in Udumbanchola, Bison Valley and Shanthanpara in hilly district of Idukki. High Court Division Bench had i
ssued 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.
V.D. Satheesan, LoP, Kerala Assembly, demanded immediate action from the authorities to stop the illegal construction. The construction violates the Land Assignment (LA) Rules, 1964 hence it should be razed. He demanded that a case be registered against all those who violated the law.
Idukki District Congress Committee (DCC) alleged that the CPM office at Shantanpara is being constructed on a land which has been categorised as Cardamom Hill Reserve (CHR). 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 (RTI) 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. Now, 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.
Earlier District Collector had reportedly told that he had not received the Court Order (even after 24 hours since the High Court Order issued). The observers view this as Collector’s helping hand to CPM. Meanwhile, CPM district secretary says, that when the land is re-categorised, the present restriction would not be applicable to the party’s constructions.
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 Hindutwa, 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.
Right thinking people see this violation of rules as the fascist highhandedness of CPM. Now, they look forward to the Court’s further actions. If Hindu leaders, RSS leaders and Prime Minister of Bharat are insulted in social media, the culprits do not have to worry about any action. But, if the ruling leaders and their ruling apparatus is attacked, the accused will have to undergo actions in no time.
