Farmers’ groups, Catholic Church, and local MLA from Keralam demand an exclusively high-range district
Local stakeholders in Kerala, including farmer groups and the Catholic Church, are advocating for the creation of a new high-range district carved out of existing regions. Proponents argue this will improve regional development and political representation for high-range residents.
Why it matters
The proposal reflects regional administrative tensions and the influence of religious and agricultural interest groups on local governance and boundary delimitation.
As discussions gain traction over carving out Thodupuzha to create the proposed Muvattupuzha district, local stakeholders, including farmer groups, Udumbanchola MLA Senapathi Venu, and the Idukki diocese under the Syro-Malabar Church, are supporting the move, demanding an exclusively high-range district.
The proposal gained momentum recently when Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan, speaking at an event in Muvattupuzha, urged the State government to consider forming a new district comprising parts of Ernakulam, Idukki, and Kottayam. In response, Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan said the demand warrants consideration and called on the government to appoint a delimitation commission.
The Syro-Malabar Catholic diocese of Idukki, which has a significant presence across the high ranges and regularly intervenes in regional land disputes, has also backed the bifurcation.
Fr. Jins Karakkatt, director of the Idukki Diocese Media Commission, said carving out a dedicated high-range district would accelerate regional development.
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