The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has instructed the Madurai district administration to submit a counter affidavit in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the reclamation and allotment of 103.33 acres of Panchami lands to Scheduled Caste (Arunthathiyar) people. This directive came from a Division Bench comprising Justices R. Subramanian and L. Victoria Gowri, following a petition filed by A. Muthupandi, a farmer from Valayankulam in Madurai district.
Muthupandi, belonging to the Scheduled Caste, stated that these lands in various Madurai localities, including Thottiyapatti, Valayapatti, M. Puliyankulam, and others, were originally meant for Arunthathiyar people. He alleged that individuals from dominant intermediate communities are currently occupying these lands, having fraudulently obtained pattas by concealing their Panchami classification. The petitioner emphasized that such occupation constitutes a criminal offense under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
Despite making several representations to the government to identify and restore these lands to rightful beneficiaries, Muthupandi claimed no substantial actions have been taken. He urged the authorities to initiate criminal proceedings against those wrongfully occupying Panchami lands as required by the Act. Hundreds of applications have already been submitted by individuals seeking allocation of these lands, he added.
The court has deferred further hearing on the case by four weeks, awaiting the response from the district administration. This case highlights the ongoing struggle for land rights among marginalized communities in Madurai, bringing attention to the need for government intervention in rectifying historical injustices.
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/plea-to-allot-panchami-lands-to-beneficiaries/article68537611.ece
Category : Madurai
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