The Pariyathukavu land dispute, concerning a Dalit settlement near Malayidamthuruth near Kizhakkambalam in Ernakulam, has been resolved with both parties involved in it agreeing to the proposal put forth by the State government, Higher Education Minister Roji M. John said here on Saturday (June 13). He was addressing the media after a discussion with stakeholders at the District Collector’s chamber.

According to the proposal, the family of the late Kannatt Sankaran Nair, who has won ownership claim over the land through a prolonged legal battle, will allot five cents each to the seven families residing at the settlement within the 2.69 acres of the disputed property. “The government will build houses in the allotted plots using funds raised through sponsorship. The houses will be built within a year, and until then, the families will be allowed to stay in their present houses,” the Minister said.

An agreement will be prepared and signed by both parties and submitted before the High Court on June 16, the Minister said. He added that the Muvattupuzha Revenue Divisional Officer and a police officer of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police would be deputed to ensure that the agreement was implemented without fail. The Minister said a panchayat road would be built within the property for the residents.

The Minister termed the proposal a practical solution within the constraints of the impending court orders even as admitting that both the parties may not be fully satisfied with it. He said the government would support the Dalit families in all possible ways in the future too.

Kunnathunad MLA V.P. Sajeendran said the government would withdraw the cases registered against those who protested against the 15 attempts to evict the families from the settlement following a Supreme Court order.

The Pariyathukavu action council, backed by the CPI(M), welcomed the decision and called off its strike against the eviction attempt. “Our stand has been that the seven families cannot be thrown out of their homes. The latest decision has vindicated our efforts,” action council convener K.M. Siraj said.