Kerala’s Malayidomthuruth eviction: Police register a case against more than 50 people

Local residents confront police during an eviction attempt at Malayidomthuruth near Kizhakkambalam in Ernakulam on Wednesday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Police have registered cases against more than 50 people in connection with the tension that prevailed at Malayidomthuruth near Kizhakkambalam in Ernakulam on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) after an attempt to evict seven Scheduled Caste families under a Supreme Court order sparked protests and clashes with the police.

The case was registered by the Thadiyattaparamba police under Ernakulam Rural limits on a complaint filed by senior lawyer Jayapalan MK, who headed the bar committee that tried to carry out the eviction. The action was initiated following a Supreme Court verdict four years ago in favor of a private individual in a land dispute over 2.65 acres allegedly falling within 19.30 acres of Puramboke land.

The police invoked Sections 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 189(2) (unlawful assembly), 191(2) (disorderly conduct), 223 (disobeying an order duly promulgated by a public servant), 285 (endangering, obstructing or causing bodily harm to any person in any public manner or discharging public authority, discharging public duty) under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

A first information report said that Anilkumar, an inspector of the Perumbavoor police station, sustained an injury on his hand after protesters allegedly blocked the Bar Commission from discharging its duties. Several protesters fell in the scuffle and were later removed by the police.

Tensions escalated when officials, backed by nearly 200 police officers, arrived to enforce the order. Residents, including women, the elderly and children, blocked roads in protest. One protester doused himself in kerosene and threatened to set himself on fire at the protest site, prompting police to use water cannons. The police took the woman, who collapsed during the confrontation, to the hospital.

The eviction proceedings were later suspended on the instructions of the new Deputy Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.

The Supreme Court ordered the eviction of the residents before the land was measured and demarcated. However, residents claimed that portions of government-owned land were included in the disputed area and demanded a fresh survey.

S. Sathish, Ernakulam CPI(M) district secretary, said the party would hold a rally on Thursday (May 21, 2026) to express solidarity with the residents. P. Rajeeve, a former minister, will attend, he said.

Published – 21 May 2026 10:31 IST