Chennai, Dec 11 (NationPress) The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has declared a significant public mobilization in Chennai scheduled for December 16, urging the Tamil Nadu government to promptly issue house pattas to longstanding urban residents who have lived for many years without formal ownership documentation.

During a press conference in Chennai on Thursday, CPI(M) State Secretary P. Shanmugam highlighted that approximately one-third of households in both Chennai and its surrounding areas lack pattas, even though many have been permanent residents for several decades.

He pointed out that multiple administrations have consistently proposed patta regularization initiatives, yet impoverished and working-class families continue to face challenges in securing their fundamental land rights.

Shanmugam emphasized that rapid and unplanned urban expansion has led to the transformation of previously unused water bodies and open spaces into residential zones.

In many instances, he noted, it was the government that relocated communities to poramboke lands and subsequently provided comprehensive civic amenities, including roads, potable water, drainage systems, electricity, schools, and ration shops. Property taxes have also been collected in numerous regions over the years.

“Despite this, residents are still categorized as encroachers. They are denied pattas for various reasons, including water catchment classification, government ownership, railway land restrictions, or disputes over trust properties,” he stated, deeming the situation both unjust and insensitive towards urban poor families.

He further mentioned that Scheduled Caste communities in central Chennai are particularly at risk, facing ongoing displacement due to current “city beautification” projects.

The CPI(M) leader also brought attention to the enduring difficulties encountered by resettled individuals in Kannagi Nagar and Semmancheri, who continue to experience inadequate services and unmet rehabilitation commitments.

The party has presented a comprehensive charter of demands, which includes a thorough re-survey of all land in Tamil Nadu, the issuance of pattas to long-term occupants of both government and private properties, the provision of sale deeds, and facilitating name transfers for housing board and slum clearance board allottees, as well as regularizing residents on temple lands with a fair and transparent rental framework.

“To advocate for these demands, the CPI(M) plans to gather one lakh individuals for a significant petition march on December 16 at Swami Sivananda Salai. The march will conclude with the submission of a petition to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin,” Shanmugam stated, describing the campaign as a struggle for dignity, justice, and secure housing for all.