A tense atmosphere prevailed at Pariyathukavu, a Dalit settlement at Malayidamthuruth near Kizhakkambalam, on Saturday (May 23) as residents kept vigil against yet another attempt to evict them from their homes based on a court order.

Members of the seven families fearing eviction, backed by Left parties, were on high alert anticipating action by an Advocate Commission appointed to execute the eviction order as the Perumbavoor Munsif Court had ordered to complete the process by Saturday.

The Commission had to return without executing the order on 15 occasions previously, with the latest witnessing alleged police high-handedness that spiralled into a State-wide political controversy. The United Democratic Front government intervened in the matter on Friday by promising to join the legal dispute and to rehabilitate the residents in case of a setback from the court. The government also assured the residents that there would not be any police action in the name of eviction. The promises came even as the CPI(M) intensified its agitation against the eviction move.

“We were all ready to resist the eviction attempt if the Advocate Commission arrived today also. However, they did not turn up. The members of the affected families were at the protest site throughout the day even as various leaders visited us in solidarity,” Manoj P.C., a resident of the settlement, said.

CPI(M) district secretary S. Sathish inaugurated a protest meet organised by the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) at Malayidamthuruth on Saturday morning. DYFI activists from various parts of the district were present at the protest.

Mr. Sathish said the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government was keen to avoid any police action even as the Advocate Commission attempted to execute the eviction order 14 times since September 2023. “The LDF government’s stand was that all possible measures should be explored to prevent the affected families from being thrown out of their homes,” he said.

Kerala State Karshaka Thozhilali Union State secretary N. Chandran, former Kongad MLA Santhakumari K., Pattikajathi Kshema Samithi State secretary V. Ponnukuttan, and State treasurer V.R. Salini were among those who visited Pariyathukavu on Saturday.

CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan is likely to visit the affected families on Monday (May 25).

The Thadiyittaparambu police, meanwhile, said there was no request from the Advocate Commission for police protection on Saturday.