Karunakaran wants judicial probe into encroachments

Thiruvananthapuram, May 25: Nationlist Congress Party (NCP) Leader K Karunakaran today demanded that the Kerala government should order a judicial inquiry into all the encroachments on government land in the state.

Talking to newspersons here, he said all the matters, related to the encroachment, including the ongoing demolition drive in Munnar and confiscation of the government land without demolishing the constructions and utilisation of the properties, should be brought under the purview of the judicial inquiry.

Stating that he was not against the action taken against the encroachers in Munnar, he said his difference was against the destruction of the buildings there.

Pointing out that Kerala was emerging as one of the favorite tourist destinations internationally, the former Chief Minister said, the buildings could have been utilised for tourism, as accommodation for tourists was a serious problem.

Mr Karunakaran also opined that criminal cases should be registered against the encroachers and penalty collected from them instead of demolishing the buildings. And added the penal amount collected from them could be utilised for providing houses to the homeless in the state, he added.

Pointing out the importance of Munnar, he suggested a helicopter service from Nedumbassery airport to encourage tourism in the area and added the buildings could be utilised for providing accommodation at low rent for middle-class tourists.

Reacting to the government action in Munnar, the NCP leader alleged that ''it is nothing, but gaining political mileage. The Chief Minister is trying to get public applause with the demolition drive.''

UNI