Maradu flat owners end hunger strike after meeting with administration, agree to eviction by Oct 3

“In the meeting, they gave us a list of apartments in the city where they would help us get rental accommodation. They have also reinstated power and water connections to our apartments. Regarding the interim compensation of Rs 25 lakhs, they have promised to pay us within one week. The money would get transferred into our bank accounts,” Advocate Shamsudeen, a representative of the residents body said.

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The court-appointed panel would deliberate on the full compensation package to be paid to each flat owner and complete all formalities within three months, he added.

“October 3 is the final day by which we have to evict the homes. But they have given us a relaxation of a day or two in which we can shift our furniture. There’s no such ceiling,” he said.

The only condition on which there has not been an agreement yet is regarding the rent the owners have to pay for their flats temporarily. While the flat owners will have to pay the rent now, the government would try and adjust it in the final compensation package, a source said.

The ruling LDF government has proposed to evacuate over 350 flats in the four complexes by October 3. (Express photo)

According to a source, the government has identified up to 500 flats in various apartment complexes in Kochi where the Maradu apartment owners can be temporarily rehabilitated. A three-member panel will evaluate the value of each of the flat in the four apartment complexes, destined for demolition.

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The ruling LDF government in Kerala has submitted a 138-day timeline for the demolition of the four apartment complexes. The top court has ratified the same. Eviction of the flat owners will be completed by October 3 and the demolition will begin by October 11.