K. MANIKANDAN
Chennai, August 4, 2012
Individuals
tried to usurp two acres of land at Kovilambakkam Village meant for public
purposes
Signalling the end of a struggle
lasting more than two decades, the Kancheepuram District administration cracked
the whip against attempts made by a group of individuals to usurp prime
Government property meant for public purposes.
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Prime
property: The land at Sunnambu Kulathur in
Kovilambakkam Village Panchayat,
which was retrieved by the government.
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Nearly two acres of land located in
the heart of Sunnambu Kulathur in Kovilambakkam Village Panchayat near Tambaram
has been the bone of contention of the individuals claiming ownership on the
one side and residents trying to protect it on the other. The individuals had
been claiming ownership since the late 1980's and even produced land ownership
documents a few years ago. More than a month ago, the individuals, who had
claimed ownership of the piece of land, installed iron beams and stone posts
around the piece of land, in an attempt to fence the property. “We resisted but
even the police seemed to be on their side and allowed them to install the
beams and posts,” said S. Ganesh of Sunnambu Kulathur. Immediately, the
residents, cutting across all affiliations, came together to protect the land
which they had been using as a playground for more than four decades. Petitions
were sent to the Chief Minister’s cell and also to the Kancheepuram District
Collector.
“Things happened really fast. Spot
visits were ordered, revenue records were checked and it was clearly
established that the land did not belong to any individual and that it was
property of the Government,” said C. Manimaran, a resident and a former
Panchayat Union councillor. On July 20, a team of staff from the Revenue
Department, along with policemen, reached the spot and removed the iron beams
and stone posts and made it clear that none could claim ownership of the land
hereafter. Residents burst crackers and distributed sweets to celebrate the
Government’s move in coming down hard on land sharks.
Land value
Mr. Manimaran said that losing no
time, the local body and the district administration should construct a
permanent fence around the land and create a park or use the land for any other
productive purpose. The value of the reclaimed land was nothing less than Rs.
55 crores, he added. Revenue officials said that the individuals claimed
ownership of the land based on a ‘patta’ (land ownership document) issued by
the Assistant Settlement Office in Chennai. Further, the individuals claimed
that the land was classified as ‘anatheenam’ (unclaimed or no one enjoying
ownership). Following clear instructions from the Kancheepuram District
Administration, the patta was cancelled and the land was classified as ‘arasu
tharisu nanjai’ (Government dry assessed waste land), the officials added.
Copyright © 2012, The Hindu
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