Speaking to reporters here, CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran said he was not aware of the high-level meeting on July 1 called by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to discuss the encroachment issue in Munnar.
"We are not aware of any high-level meeting called by the chiefminister. Why should the revenue minister (CPI's E Chandrasekharan) attend ameeting which he is not aware of," he said when asked aboutwhether the minister would attend the meeting.
He said a decision on the matter can be taken only in accordance with the KeralaLand Conservancy Act 1957 and the Kerala Land Conservancy (Amendment) Act, 2009.
On thedemand from some quarters for removal of Devikulam Sub-Collector Sriram Venkitaraman, who was in charge of the eviction drive, the CPI leader said it is the government's duty to protect the official.
Also Read
"Officials cannot be removed as per the demands of parties and the media," he said.
In April this year, the CPI had urged the government to consider a law for Kerala, similar to the one in Andhra Pradesh, with proper punishment for land grabbers.
Vijayan had expressed strong displeasure over the incident and said the steps taken by the district administration had resulted in "some misunderstanding".
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content