Munambam action council calls off protest, splinter group takes it further

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

The protest was called off on the 415th day in the presence of Industries Minister P. Rajeeve and Revenue Minister K. Rajan. “Residents decided to temporarily stop the protest after the revenue authorities accepted property taxes from them and started issuing ownership certificates for the properties. If the promises are not fulfilled, the protest may be revived,” said Fr. Antony Xavier Tharayil, action council convener.

He said the council would continue the legal fight in the Waqf Court and the Supreme Court. He said the court will take up a case related to Munambam on December 5, but the case pending in the Supreme Court is likely to be heard on December 17.

Meanwhile, a section of residents reportedly affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continued their protests, alleging that the action council was endangering the interests of residents. The action council should have continued the protest until the issue was permanently resolved. A leader of the Munambam Samara Samiti said that income rights were also withdrawn earlier but they were not.

The protest was canceled after action council leader Joseph Benny accepted lemon juice from Mr. Rajeeve. MLAs Job Michel and KN Unnikrishnan were also present.