Kerala HC rejects Tata plea to stay satellite survey in Munnar

Kochi, May 29 (UNI) The Kerala high court today rejected a plea by Tata Tea Ltd. to stay the satellite survey conducted in Munnar to survey the encroachments on forest and public lands in the popular hill station.

Justice K Balakrishanan Nair, while declining the plea for a stay, directed the state government to file a counter-affidavit within three weeks to the Tata Tea petition.

The state government-appointed Special Task Force, overseeing the eviction of encroachers in Munnar, had two days ago issued a notice to Tata Tea regarding alleged encroachments by the company.

The STF is to conduct a hearing of the Tata officials in Munnar this afternoon.

UNI