Realtors illegally sell off free land assigned for descendants of Kattabomman in Tamil Nadu

SEVERAL acres of 'assigned patta land' given by the state government to the descendants of Veerapandiya Kattabomman, the legendary palayakarar or poligar of Panchalankurichi who fought the British East India company with great valour and was killed through treachery, has been illegally sold to non-family members over the years in violation of norms.

- S GODSON WISELY DASS

Despite an investigation report on the matter being submitted 10 years ago, no action was taken against the officials and the realtors who sold the land, sources said.

The state government gave three acres of land each to 143 legal heirs of Kattabomman at Panchalankurichi village and P Duraisamypuram village of Ottapidaram taluk on April 19, 1978, as per a Government Order dated January 25, 1978. The plots were diverted from the Ottapidaram forest land and provided to the descendants to help them pursue agriculture and improve their livelihoods.