States » SouthPosted at: Oct 22 2026 7:56AM


Munambam Waqf row reignites: Protest committees allege conspiracy over UMEED registration

Kochi, Oct 22 (UNI) The Munambam Waqf land dispute has flared up again, with protest committees alleging a major conspiracy behind the registration of the disputed property on the UMEED portal and warning of intensified agitation, including plans to take the protest to the Kerala Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram.
The fresh unrest follows a statement by newly appointed Waqf Board Chairman M.C. Mayin Haji that the Munambam land belongs to the Waqf Board. The declaration has triggered strong resentment among local residents and protest groups, who maintain that the amendment to the Waqf law has failed to provide a lasting solution to their land-related grievances.
As part of the renewed agitation, the Munambam protest committee will organise an evening dharna in front of the Waqf Board office at Kaloor in Kochi on Thursday. Father Joshi Mayyattill will inaugurate the protest.
The Munambam Bhoosamrakshana Samithi has also decided to hold a large-scale protest march in the coming days. The programme is planned to begin at the Munambam church, with participants carrying candles to Munambam Gap on the beach, where they will offer prayers.
The agitation had been temporarily suspended for nearly a year after the Revenue Department permitted residents to pay land tax on their properties. However, the Waqf Board chairman's latest statement has reopened the dispute, reviving concerns among residents over the status of their land and the prospects of a permanent settlement.
Joseph Rocky, chairman of the Munambam Bhoosamrakshana Samithi, alleged that the Centre had failed to intervene to prevent the disputed property from being registered on the UMEED portal. He said the amendment to the Waqf law had brought no relief to the affected families and asserted that a solution was possible only if the state government changed its stand in the case pending before the Supreme Court.
Philip Joseph, chairman of the Munambam protest committee, alleged that a major conspiracy was behind the registration of the property on the portal. He said ordinary residents had been deceived, leaving them with no option but to resume their agitation.
The committee is planning to extend the campaign beyond Munambam and stage protests near the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, potentially bringing the dispute back to the centre of Kerala's political debate.
The latest developments have also placed the United Democratic Front (UDF) in a politically difficult position. Mayin Haji, who is also a Muslim League vice-president, has expressed a position on the ownership of the Munambam land that conflicts with earlier positions attributed to UDF leaders, including Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan.
Meanwhile, a separate protest committee formed with BJP support after differences emerged within the earlier agitation has also become active again. During the previous phase of the movement, the BJP had sought to capitalise politically on the dispute by challenging both the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led UDF.
The registration of the Munambam property on the UMEED portal by the previous Waqf Board, which was led by the LDF, has also drawn criticism towards the Left. The portal was launched by the union Ministry of Minority Affairs to facilitate the documentation and verification of Waqf properties across the country.
With the renewed protests, allegations of a conspiracy behind the portal registration and continuing differences over the ownership of the land, the Munambam dispute is once again emerging as a significant political and legal challenge in Kerala.
UNI DS
Tags: #Munambam Waqf row reignites: Protest committees allege conspiracy over UMEED registration
More News

Telangana Governor extends birthday wishes to Amit Shah

22 Oct 2026 | 10:01 AM

Hyderabad, Oct 22 (UNI) Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Thursday extended birthday greetings to union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on behalf of himself and the people of Telangana.

see more..

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy to visit Kodangal today

22 Oct 2026 | 9:57 AM

Hyderabad, Oct 22 (UNI) Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy will visit Kodangal in Vikarabad district on Thursday to extend Dussehra greetings to local residents and key leaders.

see more..

Munambam Waqf row reignites: Protest committees allege conspiracy over UMEED registration

22 Oct 2026 | 7:56 AM

Kochi, Oct 22 (UNI) The Munambam Waqf land dispute has flared up again, with protest committees alleging a major conspiracy behind the registration of the disputed property on the UMEED portal and warning of intensified agitation, including plans to take the protest to the Kerala Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram.

see more..

Kerala orders tourist spot restrictions and 24-hour control rooms as heavy rain threat persists

22 Oct 2026 | 7:15 AM

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 22 (UNI) The Kerala Government has issued special safety directions to the Tourism Department and District Tourism Promotion Councils (DTPCs), ordering restrictions at waterfalls, water bodies and other vulnerable tourist destinations amid heavy rain warnings, with round-the-clock control rooms to be set up until the alerts are withdrawn.

see more..

Landslide derails locomotive: Several trains delayed in Kerala

22 Oct 2026 | 7:08 AM

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 22 (UNI) A landslide near Parassala railway station in Kerala early Thursday derailed the locomotive of the Bilaspur–Tirunelveli Express after the train was stopped in the affected section, disrupting several passenger and long-distance train services.

see more..