Munambam Wakf land: Eligible occupants will be protected, assures Minister Rajeev

Thiruvananthapuram: Amid the ongoing protests by residents over the disputed land in Munambam, Law and Industries Minister P Rajeev said the government would protect the rights of the eligible occupants in the coastal village. He made the crucial statement a day after the government-appointed judicial commission investigating the Munambam Wakf land dispute announced a temporary halt to its functioning. The minister stated that the commission is empowered to act independently.

The Kerala government appointed Justice CN Ramachandran Nair Commission to look into the Munambam land dispute in November 2024. But the commission temporarily wound up its operations when it was expected to submit its report. The decision came after the state government told the High Court that the commission was neither a judicial nor a quasi-judicial body and had no power to enforce its recommendations.

On Saturday, Justice Ramachandran Nair said the commission’s operations would be temporarily halted until the High Court pronounces the final verdict in the petition challenging its appointment.

Responding to the issue, Rajeeve said: "The government intends to examine the recommendations based on the commission's inquiry on how to legally safeguard the people of Munambam, prevent their displacement, and ensure their legal rights."

He further added that the state government has the Constitutional authority to take such measures. The minister also said the government stands with the local residents on this issue.

In response to a petition filed by the Kerala Wakf Samrakshana Vedhi, Ernakulam, challenging the state government's order appointing the commission, the state government recently submitted that the commission is only a fact-finding authority and has no power to adjudicate on questions of title or disputes. Following this, the commission stopped its functioning.

Meanwhile, BJP state president K Surendran stated that his party would not allow even a single family among the 600 fearing eviction due to the Wakf Board's claim.  

Addressing activists of the Munambam Bhoo Samrakshana Samiti', who have been on a relay hunger strike for 113 days, Surendran declared that his party will continue to support the people until the issue is resolved.

"Other political leaders change their stance within 24 hours of visiting Munambam and expressing solidarity. This is the result of their distorted secular perspective," he said.  

At the same time, he slammed the opposition leader VD Satheesan over his stance on the issue.

"Once the Wakf Act Amendment is passed by Parliament, there will be a permanent solution to Wakf-related encroachments, including in Munambam," Surendran said. 

He further demanded that the Kerala Assembly should withdraw its unanimously passed resolution against the Wakf Act Amendment and urged all 28 MPs from the state to support the amendment in Parliament.

Residents of Cherai and Munambam in Ernakulam district have been alleging that the Wakf Board was unlawfully claiming their land and properties despite the people holding registered deeds and land tax payment receipts.