Idukki: In the wake of widespread public protests and growing controversy, Kaliyar Forest Range Officer T.K. Manoj has been transferred to Pathanapuram following the demolition of a cross erected by parishioners of St. Thomas Church in Thommankuthu, Naranganam. The incident, which unfolded on April 12, saw Forest Department officials dismantle the cross claiming it had been illegally installed on protected forest land.

According to the Forest Department, the cross stood on encroached territory within the boundaries of forest reserve, prompting legal action. A case was registered against 18 individuals, including the parish vicar, who were reportedly involved in the erection of the structure.

However, this claim has been strongly contested by the local church and parishioners, who maintain that the land in question is not part of the forest but an occupied residential plot with a long-standing local presence. The matter escalated quickly, triggering protests by local political parties including the Congress and the CPI(M), who accused the Forest Department of acting in haste and displaying religious insensitivity.

Outraged by what they viewed as an unjust action taken just before the Holy Week, members of the Thommankuthu parish staged a sit-in protest and blocked the Forest Range Office, demanding justice and a clear demarcation of the disputed land.

Amid mounting public outcry, the Forest Department issued a transfer order for Officer T.K. Manoj. However, in an official explanation, the department stated that the decision was not connected to the incident and had been processed following the officer's earlier request for transfer.

Despite the department’s clarification, the timing of the transfer has drawn speculation, with many viewing it as a response to defuse public anger and restore calm in the region. Church authorities have called for a detailed investigation into the matter and urged the government to ensure that faith practices are not criminalized under the pretext of land protection.

The incident has ignited a broader debate across Kerala on religious freedom, land rights, and the accountability of administrative authorities in sensitive matters. The local community, meanwhile, continues to demand the reinstatement of the cross and recognition of their rights over the contested land.

Source: News Agencies