While the nation meant independence of the celebration, Shoban Kumari, 61 years, from Polakara, Pullur-Periya Panchayat, more interested in how to meet. A native of Thiruvananthapuram who lives in a cramped house with a 12th family, says Svoboda still feels far away.
Shobana’s was one of the 85 families, including planned castes, planned tribes and other communities that moved to the hilly terrain 15 years ago after participation in the fight of Chengar, the Pathanamthitta law movement.
Despite the reign of re -issuing titles to 58 recipients, the inhabitants claim that they were deceived, assigned infertile lateral land, which prevented agriculture and dignified living.
“We left Kattakada with our four daughters, hoping to farm, do a small job and build the future for our children. We feel betrayed because of rocky soil without a facility,” he says. Her husband died four years ago.
When many people come back to their native place, shrubs and vegetation cover houses built for people in Chengara in Pullur-Periye in the Caragod. | Photo Credit: SK Mohan
Ek Sasi of Perunad in Pathanamthitta says that families originally remained in temporary shelters after cleaning Thorn filled with a thicket. In 2012, Nirmithi Kendra was built with the use of funds under the settlement of KR Narayanan.
“But we don’t get government benefits because Panchayat didn’t give us the numbers home,” he says.
“They only listen to us during the elections,” says Es Akhila, 35. He says most of the population is over 60 and cannot work, depending on modest pensions.
“Some people go to rubber. Only India’s social party helped and gave school sets and rice,” he says.
C. Ravindran, 67, says many families have returned to their native place and most of the houses remained locked. The original documents were issued in 2022 with a clause from preventing or transfering children. District collector Inbasecar, after promising to remove the clause, recently released them with the same restrictions, he says.
Shobana Kumari of Lakara, Pullur-Periya Panchayat, holds his title released in 2022 and re-released a month back in front of her house in the Colony of the relocation of Chengar. | Photo Credit: SK Mohan
Even for drinking water, the inhabitants depend during the construction of the house. Only a fraction of agricultural land is cultivable and crops are often destroyed by wild animals.
According to the rehabilitation package Čengar, land in 10 districts was identified for 1,495 recipients. Planned recipients of Kast were promised 50 cents, planned tribes one acre and another 25 cents.
Mr. Inbasecar says that in Periy, the title list was issued for only eight cents set aside for housing, while agricultural land was registered within KR Narayanan Society (KR Narayanan Cooperative Settlement program) according to its regulation. Those who did not want to join society were assigned by the soil in Cheemeni, Badaje and Kallar.
He says that efforts have been made to fulfill the soil, raising 25 hectares, but disputes between members and lack of cooperation stopped work. The inhabitants demanded individual documents on the title documents for agricultural land, because in 2021 the Whch Order was issued.
According to the order, 166 acres from the SC department were transferred to the income department. However, the income authorities could not find the ground because the survey No. 341/1 in the village of Periya bridged 736 acres, while the title documents were issued at different times and the records were poorly maintained.
During a recent digital survey, a graph of 166 hectares was identified – but with the same rock topography. “Now the title documents have been issued to 58 recipients with proper sketches. The next step is for the soil to be cut through suitable agronomic interventions,” the collector said.
Published – August 15 2025 20:45
