Section 144 was not necessary: K K Jayachandran

Kottayam: The Idukki district administration's surprise move evicting ‘Spirit in Jesus’ prayer group from encroached revenue land has infuriated both the CPM and the Congress leaders who protested on its way. Responding to the eviction at Pappathichola Medu near Munnar, CPM district secretary K.K. Jayachandran said the administration’s late night prohibition orders against unlawful assembly (CrPC 144) was unnecessary. "It's a publicity stunt," he told DC.

“It's not proper to conduct eviction by bringing more than 100 police officials. The cross they demolished was for performing prayers on Good Friday.” Idukki DCC president Ibrahim Kutty Kallar said the district administration should prove their sincerity by evicting CPM leaders who are the encroachers. “There are encroachments by these leaders in the nearby areas. The officials should remove them first,” he said.