Malayidamthuruth land dispute talks hit hurdle

A government-level discussion to resolve the Pariyathukavu land dispute, scheduled for Friday (June 12, 2026) night, was postponed at the last minute, triggering speculation over the politically sensitive issue. The meeting had been convened to discuss a proposal put forth by the government to avoid the eviction of seven Dalit families from the 2.69-acre Pariyathukavu settlement at Malayidamthuruth near Kizhakkambalam following private litigation.

The meeting, to be led by Minister for Higher Education Roji M. John, was scheduled for 8 p.m. at the District Collector’s chamber. An official communication stated that the meeting had been postponed to a later date. The reason for the postponement was not mentioned.

Representatives of the resident families had come to the Collectorate for the meeting. “We were only told that the meeting had been postponed at the last minute. We suspect that the private party that has won the claim over the land ownership may not have agreed to the government’s proposal,” K.M. Siraj, convener of the Pariyathukavu Action Council, which represents the Dalit families, said.

Sources with the Minister said the meeting was not postponed due to any inconvenience on his part. The heirs of the late Kannattu Sankaran Nair, who have secured favourable court orders in support of their claim to the land following prolonged litigation, were unavailable for comment.

During a previous meeting, the government had asked the family to consider allocating five cents of land each to the seven families within the disputed property. It has also promised to build houses and provide basic amenities for the families once both parties agree to the proposal.