Kottayam: Continuing its tirade against encroachments, Idukki Collector suspended Special Revenue Tahsildar A F Joseph for allegedly supporting a land grabber.

The action was taken based on the report submitted by new Devikulam Sub Collector V R Premkumar.

There was a complaint that Jaya of women’s wing of the CPM of Ika nagar in Munnar had constructed a house in encroached revenue land.

The Sub Collector directed the revenue team led by Joseph to evict the illegal occupation. As the team started demolishing the house, a group of people interrupted it. The officials sought more police reinforcement and partially demolished the house and left the place.

The official gave a report that the encroachment was evicted. On inspection by the Sub Collector it was found that the encroacher was still occupying the land.