Paliyar tribes urge authorities to take action against those trying to encroach upon their lands

Paliyar tribes from Kottaivali village near Oddanchatram in Dindigul district on Monday submitted a petition to Dindigul Collector seeking appropriate action be taken against persons trying to encroach on their lands.

The residents complained that some individuals had encroached upon their lands and were trying to convert them into plots and sell them. They said that they were issued pattas by the government and had been residing in the area for over 30 years.

However, some influential persons were trying to fraudulently acquire the patta by forging the land documents and usurping the lands provided to the Paliyar tribes. 

These persons were outsiders and did not belong to the area, the residents said. They said the government had built houses for the Paliyar tribes. However, a few more houses had to be constructed in the area. The project could not be completed due to the need for adequate land.

Under these circumstances, the existing lands were being encroached upon by influential persons, they complained. The residents submitted a petition to Dindigul Collector S. Saravanan urging the authorities concerned to take necessary action and ensure that the remaining houses are constructed for the Paliyar tribes. The Collector assured them that necessary action would be taken.