The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Another UDF team to visit Munnar

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Thursday, May 03, 2007
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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Another UDF team to visit Munnar

Special Correspondent

Front warns Government of `people's intervention' to check encroachments

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) has described the ongoing probe into large-scale encroachments in Munnar an eyewash and decided to send yet another UDF delegation to Munnar again on May 7. Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy and a team of UDF leaders had visited Munnar a fortnight ago.

Briefing reporters about the deliberations of a UDF high power committee here on Wednesday, Front convener P.P. Thankachan called upon the Government to immediately vacate all the illegal encroachments in the area and order stoppage of all ongoing works in the encroached land. He warned the Government of a `people's intervention' if urgent action was not initiated to check the land grab and said that the UDF would provide leadership to any such initiative.

Mr. Thankachan rebutted charges that the near and dear ones of UDF leaders too were involved in the land grab and called upon the Government to initiate action without reference to the political affiliations of those involved in the encroachments. He alleged that the encroachments were the handiwork of powerful persons in the LDF, including the local CPI(M) legislator Rajendran and his close relatives. The Government has been closing its eyes on the encroachments despite the Sanal Kumar Committee having submitted a report on September 1, 2006, revealing the extent of encroachments in the area and the names of those involved in such activities, he said.

The UDF convener also called upon the Government to give up the move to implement the Pathrakkadavu hydroelectric project. Although it was true that the UDF Government had conducted a preliminary feasibility study for the project, it had decided against implementing it following objections from the LDF and the people at large. The LDF Cabinet has now given administrative sanction for the project and referred it to the Centre for environmental clearance. The project would have serious environmental consequences and should be given up in the larger public interest, he added.

Mr. Thankachan said the UDF panel had taken serious note of the Government's move to dissolve the Wakf Board. As a prelude to the measure, the Government has appointed a committee headed by retired judge Nizar Ahamed to look into the functioning of the Wakf Board which comprised eminent religious leaders.

The move is clearly intended to cook up charges against the Board and dissolve it, he said.

The UDF convener said the LDF or Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan have no right to claim paternity of the Smart City project, which was the baby of the UDF.

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