By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, who authorised large-scale demolition of illegal structures in the hill station of Munnar, Wednesday said encroachers across Kerala would get ample time to vacate the land before demolitions began.
"We have decided that all those who have encroached upon government property would be given adequate time to vacate the land. At least a period of seven days would be given after which the government will take strict action," Achuthanandan told reporters here after the weekly cabinet meeting.
The chief minister had earlier asserted that the demolition drive would extend to other areas in the state as well.
Demolition of illegal constructions continued in Kochi's M.G. Road for the second day Wednesday. There was considerable chaos when authorities began to destroy the entrance of a temple. After resistance from residents, officials decided to stop demolition work for the day.
The tough stand taken by Achuthanandan has shocked the state's tourism industry as illegal encroachments have been identified in popular tourist destination like Kumarakom, Alappuzha, Wayanad and Kovalam also.
Demolitions in Munnar continued with over 20 resorts razed since the drive began earlier this month. But the Abad Group, which owns a resort in the hill station, secured a stay on the demolition of their property till Monday.
They had approached the Kerala High Court, saying their resort was legal.
Achuthanandan gave the green signal for the demolition at Munnar following Revenue Secretary Nivedita P. Haran's recommendation. After visiting the hill station April 28, the chief minister said the town had been defaced by the tourist resort mafia which had encroached upon forest land.