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The exact number of trees lost remains unclear, as they have been completely removed, including the stumps.
Usually during land transactions, the government collects 8 per cent of the fair value as stamp duty and 2 per cent as registration fee.
The amendment sought to give powers to a deputy collector in each taluk to issue the order to convert the status of the land, apart from the 27 RDOs in the state.
While one page of the copy should be charged Rs 3, the department took almost up to 100-fold.
A massive protest, led by former LDF minister M M Mani, was held in Chinnakanal on Monday.
Earlier on Sunday night, the contractor approached the Nooranad police seeking protection for mining, stating that he had yet to receive any stop memo.
Idukki Sub-collector led the special task force that returned for the eviction drive armed with a High Court order.
The anti-encroachment drive, which is the second of its kind had begun in Idukki as per the direction of the High Court.
The government will reclaim its properties and there will be no compromise on protecting the rights of the people., he said.
According to reports, the district authority will continue the anti-encroachment drive in the coming days too.