Munambam action council calls off protest, splinter group continues

The Munambam action council called off its protest on Sunday after residents’ revenue rights were partially restored by the Supreme Court. However, a splinter group has decided to continue with the protest.

The protest was called off on the 415th day in the presence of Industries Minister P. Rajeeve and Finance Minister K. Rajan. “The residents decided to temporarily halt the protest after the tax authorities accepted the property tax from them and started issuing possession certificates for the properties. The protest could be revived if the promises are not kept,” said Fr. Antony Xavier Tharayil, the chairman of the action council.

He said the council would continue the legal battle at the Waqf Tribunal and the Supreme Court. While the tribunal will hear a case related to Munambam on December 5, the case pending in the Supreme Court is likely to come up for hearing on December 17, he said.

Meanwhile, a section of residents, allegedly associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), continued their protest, alleging that the agitation council had compromised the interests of residents. The action council should have continued the protest until the issue was finally resolved. Earlier too, revenue rights were restored but then withdrawn, a leader of the Munambam Samara Samiti said.

The protest was called off after Joseph Benny, leader of the action council, accepted lime juice from Mr Rajeeve. Job Michel and KN Unnikrishnan, MLAs, were also present.