V.D. Satheeshan, the Leader of the Opposition, recently announced a major pledge: should the United Democratic Front (UDF) secure power, they will ensure that all unauthorized constructions on ‘patta’ land in Idukki are regularized entirely free of charge.
This promise was made during a UDF-organized farmers’ conclave held in Adimaly on Friday, October 3, 2025. Satheeshan highlighted the UDF’s commitment to delivering a comprehensive and fair resolution to the district’s persistent land-related challenges. He criticized the current government’s approach, noting that while the Cabinet had approved an amendment to legalize ‘patta’ land violations in Idukki, it still intended to charge fees for regularisation. Satheeshan argued that this amounted to exploiting the district’s hardworking farmers, stating the UDF had previously advocated for a fee-free, streamlined process.
He further alleged that the Revenue department’s decision to levy these fees was a calculated effort to generate an estimated ₹2,000 crore, intended to bolster the State’s struggling financial health at the expense of its rural communities.
Addressing various farmers’ groups at the conclave, Satheeshan outlined the UDF’s vision for a master plan to tackle Idukki’s land woes. He assured that all eligible farmers would receive their rightful title deeds, emphasizing that the UDF government would differentiate between genuine settler farmer issues and other encroachment concerns. Specifically, he mentioned that title deed problems in the Pathu Chain and Moonu Chain areas of the district would be swiftly addressed.
During the discussions, farmer representatives voiced strong objections to what they described as the Forest department’s “illegal” claims over revenue and agricultural lands across the district. Many of these lands, they pointed out, had been designated as reserve forest over a century ago, yet the Forest department continues to assert its claims. The controversial demolition of a cross at Thommankuth was cited as a prime example of such overreach. Satheeshan vowed that a UDF government would work to ‘dereserve’ these lands and steadfastly safeguard the interests of the farming community.
The Idukki Land Freedom Movement, alongside other farmer organizations, formally presented their memorandums detailing their concerns and proposals to the Leader of the Opposition during the event. Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose moderated the conclave, which also saw the attendance of District Congress Committee (DCC) president C.P. Mathew and other prominent figures.