Kerala has 63 properties of Pakistan nationals
There are 63 properties in Kerala belonging to Pakistan nationals that have been categorised as enemy properties. These properties are chiefly spread across Malappuram (37), Kozhikode (20), and Kannur (six).
As the word suggests, enemy properties are assets owned by individuals or entities that are deemed enemies of the country, particularly those who fled India during times of conflict. In Kerala, the assets are mainly of those who moved to Pakistan or were trapped in Pakistan during partition as well as the post-Independence period, says P.H. Kurian, former Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue.
As per the law, the Enemy Property Act, 1968 allows the government to take control of these properties or dispose them of, he says.
According to the guidelines of the Union Ministry of Home, enemy properties are sold through e-auction by carrying out valuation of such property by a committee under the aegis of the district magistrate concerned, where the property is situated.
E.T. Mohammed Basheer, MP, who took up the issue in Parliament says these properties mainly belong to two categories of people. Those who migrated to Karachi for business and job purposes akin to the migration to the erstwhile Bombay and those who voluntarily migrated to Pakistan during partition.
P.T. Kunju Muhammed, who handled the subject in his film Paradesi, says the condition of those who migrated to Pakistan either for job purposes or during partition was pathetic. 'I had met many children of such people during my stay in the Gulf, and the majority of them admitted that their forefathers had committed a big mistake. Though they are treated as traitors, a good number of them went to Karachi for running teashops, beedi works and the betel leaves trade, etc.,' he says.
There was also an outfit called Malabar Muslim Jamaat in Pakistan for the welfare of Keralites trapped in that country. Not only Karachi, there were people who migrated to Dhaka as well as these were the bustling cities during that period, says Mr. Muhammed.
Compared to such enemy properties in northern India, the number of such properties in Kerala is much lower, says Mr. Basheer.
Now, the Centre has taken several steps to fast-track the monetisation of enemy properties. According to a notification issued last year, all district magistrates should act as ex officio deputy custodians of these properties. Also, as part of auctioning these properties, the pre-bid earnest money deposit has been reduced from 10% to 5% to attract bidders, and the payment period of the sale value increased to 120 days from 21 days.
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