The prolonged relay hunger strike organized by the Munambam Land Protection Council has officially been called off, marking a significant victory for over 600 families fighting for their revenue rights in the Kochi region.
Government Intervention Breaks the Deadlock
The council's core committee made the decisive move to end the protest on Friday. This decision came directly after Industry Minister P Rajeeve provided a crucial assurance. The minister promised that a dedicated helpdesk will be established in Kuzhuppilly village. This helpdesk is specifically intended to streamline and facilitate the pokkuvaravu procedures, which are the official transfers of names in the revenue records for the disputed land.
Ground Reality and Legal Backing
The struggle is not merely theoretical. On the ground, approximately 250 families living on the land in Munambam have already taken the step of paying their land tax at the village offices in Kuzhuppilly and Pallippuram. Their actions underscore the residents' claim and willingness to formalize their ownership. Adding legal weight to their cause, the Kerala High Court had, on Wednesday, directed revenue officials to provisionally accept the property tax from the residents of Munambam. This court order created significant pressure and set a important precedent for the case.
A Formal Conclusion to the Agitation
The protest is set to be formally concluded on Sunday at 2.30 pm. Minister P Rajeeve, along with Vypeen MLA K N Unnikrishnan and other officials, will arrive at the protest venue to oversee the closing ceremony. This formal conclusion brings an end to a period of sustained public agitation and opens a new chapter focused on administrative resolution for the hundreds of families involved.
