News
Land demarcation in Mannar villages halted after complaints
View(s):By P.A. Antony MarkÂ
The Mannar District Coordinating Committee has urged Forest Department officials to halt work on boundary marking in the villages of Madhu and Manthai in the Mannar District.  Villagers have complained that some of their lands were being appropriated by the Forest Department on the pretext of preparing a survey map.
Minister Rishad Bathiudeen requested Forest Department and Wildlife Department officials to suspend their activities regarding the re-demarcating of boundaries.  The Minister suggested that officials meet with the Divisional Secretaries and the villagers and investigate whether the villagers possessed valid documents of ownership to the land. Wherever valid documents are available, the minister said the lands should be returned to the owners.
He said the surveying of lands without the permission of the DCC was illegal. A month’s notice was given to Forest Department officials to submit a report to the Mannar district secretary regarding the issue.
Also at the Mannar District Coordinating Committee meeting, the Panankatkottu Fishermen’s Society President said the catch of fisherman at Mannar Southbar had increased after the law enforcement authorities seized two Indian trawlers along with fishermen in January and this month.