The Kerala High Court on Monday granted two weeks to the State government to evict families residing on the contentious land at Malayidamthuruth.

The extension of time was granted on a petition filed by the Ernakulam Rural Superintendent of Police. The court stated that the Supreme Court order in this regard must be respected by the State. 

The court said technical difficulties cannot be cited in implementing a court order, and that delay in eviction undermined the court’s authority. 

The State government sought two week’s time to find a solution and comply with the Supreme Court order to evict the seven families at Pariyathukavu, a Dalit settlement at Malayidamthuruth, near Kizhakkambalam.

The respondents in the case, which include members of a few families residing on the said land, submitted that they were living there for three generations.  

The eviction order was issued by the Supreme Court four years ago, in favour of a private individual in a land dispute of 2.62 acres allegedly falling within 19.98 acres of puramboke land. The matter was posted for hearing on June 9.