THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite the sharp differences between CPM and CPI over the issue of encroachments in Idukki, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday backed his party and local MLA S Rajendran. However, he said there was no move to transfer Devikulam sub-collector Sriram Venkataraman against whom the CPM had launched an agitation. At a press conference after a two-hour long meeting which was attended by revenue minister E. Chadrashekharn, MLAs, MP and local leaders, the Chief Minister said the meeting had unanimously resolved to check encroachments in the hill district.

The Chief Minister said one of the problems being faced by the locals was regarding construction of houses. The high court had stated that "revenue authorities" are vested with powers to grant permission. "The sub-collector, who gives required permission, has a vast area within his jurisdiction. Many people have to come to him from far of places. Sub-collector could hold sittings in different places or else the responsibility could be decentralised. A decision can be taken on this by revenue department," he added.

The Chief Minister said the work regarding pattas (title deeds) was in progress and is expected to be completed by April end. He said strict action would be taken against encroachers. However, action cannot be taken against those who have been living there since generations, just on the basis of some propaganda. On Mr Rajendran's threat that sub-collector's limbs would be broken and on his criticism against revenue minister, Mr Vijayan said these stories were being created by vested interests. "The MLA denied the allegations in the meeting, the chief minister said.

He said the allegations that Mr Rajendran's house was located in an encorachede land were baseless. This issue had been discussed led earlier. "His house is on a pattayam land," he said added pattathat hen asked about Wjhen When his attention was drawn towards the threats being issued against revenue officials as they were not being allowed to even enter certain areas as pointed out in the report of land revenue commissioner, the chief minister said there is no question of going soft on encroachers. "However, if officials term people whose ancestors have been staying since past 450 years, they might get angry. The chief minister didn't reply to questions on enroachemnts by thepolitical parties and religious organisatons.