Eviction attempt triggers high tension at Dalit settlement in Kunnathunadu

Tension prevailed at Malayidomthuruth near Kizhakkambalam in Ernakulam on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) after an attempt to evict seven Scheduled Caste families, following a Supreme Court order, triggered protests and clashes with police. The eviction drive was later suspended on the directive of newly sworn-in Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.

The eviction at Pareeyathukavu Unnathi, a Dalit settlement, was the 15th such attempt by an Advocate Commission led by senior lawyer Jayapalan M.K. The move follows a Supreme Court verdict four years ago in favour of a private individual in a land dispute involving 2.65 acres allegedly falling within 19.30 acres of puramboke land.

The court ordered eviction of the occupants before measuring and demarcating the land. Residents, however, claimed that portions of government-owned puramboke land were included in the disputed area and demanded a fresh survey.

Tensions escalated when officials, backed by nearly 200 policemen, arrived to enforce the order. Residents, including women, elderly people and children, blocked roads in protest. One protester poured kerosene on himself and threatened self-immolation at the protest site, prompting the police to use water cannons. A woman who collapsed during the confrontation was taken to hospital by the police.

CPI(M) leader and former Kunnathunad MLA P.V. Sreenijin, who reached the spot, alleged that the eviction was being carried out without addressing rehabilitation of the families and questioned the police action under the newly sworn-in United Democratic Front (UDF) government. He also faced criticism from some residents over the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s alleged inaction.

The police later withdrew after Mr. Chennithala directed the State Police Chief to halt the eviction and avoid force.

Mr. Jayapalan was escorted out of the area. Defending the action, he said they were only implementing a court order and denied allegations of being related to the private individual who secured the eviction order. He said he would report to the court the incidents unfolded during the eviction procedure.

CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan condemned the eviction move, saying that while the police had attempted to do that 14 times during the LDF government’s time, there was no force applied. “But in 48 hours of the new UDF government taking over, the police resorted to violence against the residents,” he said, adding that the party would resist attacks against people belonging to the Scheduled Caste.

CPI(M) district secretary S. Sathish said his party would resist the eviction and protect the residents. “The UDF government led by V.D. Satheesan is trying to work for the rich by assaulting the poor,” he said in a statement.