The Kerala High Court has directed the State government to verify and take a decision on the claims of those who have occupied land on the banks of Kallai river in Kozhikode district.
The court asked the government to consider whether any of the petitioner was in possession of land based on perpetual lease.
In case the government finds that there is no lease, the government can order the eviction of such persons.
The government should seek a report from the District Collector with regard to the nature of the land.
The court asked the government to complete the entire exercise within six months.
The government could also consider the request of the the petitioner to remove ‘Jhandas’ placed on the land to demarcate puramboke areas.
The court made it clear that the order was applicable only to those who had approached the High Court and the District Collector was free to proceed with the action already initiated to evict any other encroachers.