Discord Erupts Within LDF Over Munnar Encroachment Eviction

The recent eviction operation targeting encroachments in Munnar has ignited internal conflicts within the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) alliance. Acting on the High Court’s orders, the government’s task force removed 229.76 acres of encroached land in areas like Chinnakanal and Anaviratty Village. While CPI leader K K Sivaraman defended the eviction as a collective decision of the left government, tensions escalated when CPM Leader M M Mani MLA criticized the process.

This internal disagreement deepened further when CPM district secretary C V Varghese claimed the collector assured halting further evictions, a statement refuted promptly by collector Sheeba George. Revenue Minister K Rajan clarified the government’s objective, emphasizing that the mission aimed to remove major encroachments, not those with small land holdings. Amidst this controversy, LDF convener E P Jayarajan sided with M M Mani, underscoring the complexity of the situation and revealing internal discord within the alliance.