NEW DELHI: Some 71 properties belonging to Pakistani nationals in India have been categorized as ‘enemy properties’ in the state of Kerala.
According to a report published in Indian media, the Union home ministry’s records shows that ‘enemy properties’ (belonging to Pakistani nationals) are movable or immovable assets, which were properties of individuals who migrated to Pakistan or China and have been vested with custodian of enemy property for India (CEPI), as per the Enemy Property Act, 1968.
In the state, while 60 properties are plots, the remaining are movable assets, which could be jewellery, shares in companies, etc.
The Indian media report says all 71 properties that have been categorized as enemy properties belong to those who have Pakistani citizenship. Out of the 60 plots categorized as enemy properties of the 71 in the state, 32 are in Malappuram, 20 are in Kozhikode, five are in Kannur, and three are in Palakkad. Among the four southern states and Union territories, including Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar, and
Lakshadweep, the state has the highest number of such properties.
The report says such properties in the state belong to those who had left the state during pre-Independence as well as post-Independence, mostly from British Malabar to mainly Karachi.
“There were hundreds who had left for business and trade in Karachi, like tea shops, betel trade etc., just like they left for Mumbai or Kolkata during the pre-Independence period. Many of them had always wanted to come back, but they were either denied visas or deported after they came back. The tales of such individuals are aplenty in northern districts of the state,” said noted filmmaker and former MLA PT Kunju Muhammed, who dealt with the subject in his film Paradesi.
Kunju Muhammed said while many decided to settle down in Pakistan, many wanted to come back but were so ill-informed that they had no idea they had to choose between India or Pakistan during the partition. By the time they realized, it was too late.
The Indian media report says that though a shrinking population, Karachi still has a second and third generation of Malayali population, which even runs an organization named Malabar Muslim Jamaath, meant for the welfare of the Malayali community residing there.
As per the latest figures of MHA, as many as 12,611 properties across the country have been categorized as enemy properties. Of this, 12,485 relate to Pakistani nationals, while 126 relate to Chinese nationals. In 2020, the Centre constituted a high-level committee of representatives of multiple ministries and a committee of ministers consisting of the home minister, finance minister and minister of road, transport and highways to dispose of enemy properties. The committees are dealing with the properties recommended for disposal by CEPI chosen in consultation with the concerned state governments.
