A tale of simmering discord

Kottayam: The latest episode which culminated in Peermedu legislator E. S. Bijimol’s attack on additional district magistrate Moncy P. Alexander in Idukki was an outcome of a simmering discord between the Travancore Rubber and Tea Estate and the local community and the district administration’s failure to broker peace.

The only way to nearby Valliyankavu Devi Temple is through the 7,500-acre estate owned by the Thiruvananthapuram-based group and it is also the only road for some 40 people to reach their homes at Peruvanthanam.

It all began in 1993 when the estate was replanted and a gate installed to prevent cows eating rubber saplings.

“It blocked the way of the residents and the public. From then on, the issue was simmering, only to be worsened by the estate owners’ attitude,” Peerumedu Tahsildar Devasia told DC.

The latest issue of the ADM and other officials reinstating the demolished gate also came as a result of a communication gap between the government pleader and the district administration, which was not timely intimated about the High Court order staying the gate's removal on June 26.

Earlier, the residents had approached the State Human Rights Commission earned an order to remove the gate on June 4.

Without knowing about the stay, the officials led by the ADM removed the gate on July 1.

“When we knew about it we had no other go. Otherwise it would have been contempt of court,”  he said.

Discharged from the Kottayam Medical College Hospital on Monday, Mr Alexander said the officials showed maximum restraint whereas the MLA aimed at gaining political mileage.

“I have mentioned this to the police,” he told DC, adding he would also move the court against her allegation that he favoured the estate owners. “I have sought the permission of the government for this”.

The investigating officer, Peerumedu CI Manoj Kumar, also visited the ADM and took his statement once again on Monday.