Nelliyampathy: UDF MLAs demand CBI probe


KOCHI: A team of UDF MLAs led by V.D. Satheesan submitted a report before Nelliyampathy Sub Panel Chairman Adv. A.N. Rajan Babu demanding a CBI probe into the controversial land dealings in connection with Nelliyampathy estates.

The report written in 36 pages was submitted after the UDF MLAs comprising T.N. Prathapan, M.V. Shreyams Kumar, Hibi Eden and V T Balram made a visit to Nelliyampathy estates.

With this, the Nelliyampathy issue became more complicated. The MLAs said that they supported the demand of Forest Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar that a CBI probe should be ordered into the alleged incidents of getting bank loans by pledging forest land.

If a CBI probe is ordered, then people close to Kerala Congress will land in trouble. The Government Chief Whip P.C. George, who is also a leader of Kerala Congress, had even raised voice against Ganesh Kumar for demanding a CBI probe into the issue.

In their report, the MLAs have also demanded that the government should take over the land whose lease period had expired. They demanded the government should ensure the biodiversity of Nelliyampathy and also protect estate workers. A separate scheme to ensure job for workers who are not registered has also been demanded.

Kerala Government had earlier informed the High Court here that Nelliyampathy estates in Palakkad district are reserve forests and since there is no lease agreement between government and petitioners, the occupants can only be treated as 'encroachers'.

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