A protracted year-long relay hunger strike by residents of Munambam, near Kochi, over revenue rights to their land has seen a major development, with a section of protesters calling off their agitation. However, the community remains deeply divided on the path forward, revealing unresolved tensions.
Strike Called Off After Court-Ordered Tax Payment
The protest, involving over 600 families, began after the Kerala State Waqf Board staked a claim over their land. The deadlock saw a breakthrough recently when revenue authorities, following a high court order, permitted the residents to remit the land tax. This development prompted one group to officially end their relay hunger strike on Sunday.
Yet, the resolution is partial. Another faction of protesters immediately resumed the strike, arguing that merely paying the tax does not conclusively settle the core issue of permanent revenue rights. They are pinning their hopes on an anticipated high court order expected on December 17, which they believe will be decisive.
Council Clashes with Supporting Priest
Adding to the complexity, the Munambam Land Protection Council has publicly entered the fray, targeting Fr Joshy Mayyattil, a priest who has supported the group continuing the strike. In a statement issued on Thursday, council chairperson Joseph Rocky Palakkal strongly criticized Fr Mayyattil's remarks on the revenue rights as "misleading" and "contradictory to facts."
The council specifically countered the claim that land documents issued by the village office to residents are worthless. "Even if temporary, these documents facilitate land transfer, bank loans and other revenue-related processes," the statement asserted. It clarified that the suggestion that the document is merely a permission to pay tax with no further rights is incorrect.
Uncertain Future and Political Denials
The dispute now hinges on legal timelines and interpretations. The protesting group insists the December 17 court hearing is crucial. The council, however, countered this narrative, stating that no such decisive order is expected in the near future. They also asserted that there was no political motive behind the decision of the first group to end their hunger strike, aiming to quell speculation.
With one group demobilizing and another digging in, the Munambam land issue highlights how legal victories can sometimes create new social fissures. The community's wait for a final, unambiguous settlement of their land rights continues, even as the most visible form of their protest undergoes a significant change.
