Kerala - Palakkad   

Plachimada tribals win battle for water

G. Prabhakaran

`Government should pay compensation for depletion of groundwater'

DETERMINED TO FIGHT: A file picture of satyagraha outside the gates of the Coca-Cola plant at Plachimada.

PALAKKAD: The tribal people of Plachimada called off their 1,588-day agitation on Saturday, ending one of the longest struggles in modern Kerala.

They started the agitation on April 22, 2002, against groundwater exploitation and environmental pollution by the Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Ltd. plant in their village.

The State Government banned manufacture and sale of Pepsi and Coke recently, as the Centre for Science and Environment reported that its study had found high levels of pesticide residue in these soft drinks. The plant was thus closed down.

Velur Swaminathan and Mailamma, leaders of Adivasi Protection Samithi, said the satyagraha in front of the plant was called off following the ban.

They demanded that the State Government pay compensation to the people affected by the depletion of groundwater.

The Government had allowed the company to set up the plant, and hence, it should pay compensation. Otherwise, they would move court.

The Coca-Cola plant was brought to Plachimada, in the rain-shadow Perumatty panchayat limits, bordering Tamil Nadu, by the previous Left Democratic Front Government, claiming that it was the largest foreign direct investment in the State.

Twelve hectares of paddy field was reclaimed for setting up the plant.

A year after the company started functioning, people complained of depleting water levels in their wells and launched the agitation.

While all established political parties opposed the agitation in the beginning, other organisations and people, ranging from Gandhians to radical leftists, supported the stir.

As days passed, the people of entire Perumatty and parts of Chittur taluk faced water shortage, forcing them to join the tribal people and Dalits in their struggle.

On April 7, 2003, the panchayat, ruled by the Janata Dal (S), unanimously decided not to renew the annual licence given for the plant.

Gains momentum

During 2004-2005, the agitation gained momentum with national and international organisations, fighting for the right of local people over natural resources, joining hands with the protestors.

An international water convention was organised in Plachimada as part of a worldwide struggle to safeguard this right.

The agitation made the Kerala State Pollution Control Board order stoppage of production in the plant on August 19, 2005.

On August 21, 2005, the then Leader of Opposition, V.S. Achuthanandan, demanded the closure of the plant. As Chief Minister now, Mr. Achuthanandan fulfilled the demand himself.

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