Land received under tenancy law: Heart patient and family in Malappuram knock doors for pattayam

Edappal: The family of a heart patient has been struggling as they haven’t received pattayam (title deed) for the land that they have inherited as per the tenancy rights (kudikidappu). Chittazhikunnu Kollathuparambil Kumari, her husband who is a heart patient and their two children live in a small thatched hut in Vattakulam panchayat. Kumari who belongs to a backward caste is a MGNREG labourer. It was her husband Chandran’s parents who had received the land as kudikidappu. However, they haven’t received pattayam for this land. 

The family has knocked on many doors and made countless pleas to receive pattayam for their land. The authorities asked for possession certificate when the family applied for pattayam. However, the person living next door, who had received land free of cost, opposed their move when he came to know that Kumari and Chandran had applied for the deed. 

Even as the family was struggling to make the ends meet amid the land row, fate had other plans for them. Chandran was diagnosed with a serious heart ailment. Although he had already undergone two major surgeries, Chandran still works as a labourer to financially support the family. The thatched hut begins to leak whenever it rains. The family uses tarpaulin sheets as canopy to protect their house from the rain. Despite all the hardships, both Kumari and Chandran dreams of building a new house in this land.