Thiruvananthapuram, Oct. 15 -- The Keralam Assembly on Thursday witnessed a heated exchange between the ruling and opposition fronts over the removal of unauthorised fences and structures in the forest-fringe areas of Chinnakanal and Shanthapara in Idukki district, with the opposition alleging a hidden agenda to take over inhabited areas and the government defending the action as necessary to protect human lives and clear encroachments.

The opposition moved an adjournment motion over the demolition of structures and restrictions in elephant corridor areas, alleging that the removal of fences on revenue land was part of an attempt to convert Cardamom Hill Reserve (CHR) land into forest land.

Presenting the notice, MLA K U Jenish Kumar al...