Devikulam classic case of encroachment

THIRUVANNATHPURAM: What happened in Devikulam on Wednesday was a classical case of how encroachments take place in Idukki district especially in Munnar area. The plants would grow bigger and by now shrubs would cover the entire patch of land. One fine morning a shed would come up on the encroached land to suggest that it belongs to some landless and homeless person. Subsequently he would hand over the land to the local mafia striking a deal for Rs 5 to Rs 10 lakh. The entire operation right from the illegal occupation of small patches of land to its transfer is stage managed by the land mafia.