Iritti: The playground that was built by levelling a marshy bog would be reversed to its original state by removing the mud, as per an order issued by the district collector. The district administration has instructed the land owner and the Chavassery village officer to submit a report after reversing the marsh to its original state by removing the mud within 15 days.

The administration, after its inspection, found that the playground, built six months ago, was part of the land that is included in the data bank of Chavassery village. The inauguration of this ground was held before the local body elections.

Building playgrounds in the area was in the election manifesto of the SDPI member who was elected to the Iritti municipality from Narayampara ward. He had announced at a public meeting that the land-owner had handed over the land, including the 50 cents, to him, before inaugurating the playground.

The revenue department found that the land that was levelled by dumping loads of mud actually belonged to the data bank in Chavassery village. Meanwhile, residents PP Shameer, PP Babilal and Rasiq Ulliyil alleged that the latest move will discourage the initiative to promote physical fitness and games among children.

They claimed that political rivalry is behind such a move. Meanwhile, Iritti municipal ward councillor P Sinath said that the complaint was part of certain individuals’ dubious interests to hamper the sports dreams of children in the area. She also promised to seek the legal route to protect the playground in the area.