Kerala - Kochi   

Collector’s statement draws flak

KOCHI: The Coordination Committee for Evictees of the proposed Vallarpadam International Container Transhipment Terminal has condemned the statement issued by the District Collector that those supporting the protest against eviction would be put under surveillance.

The statement was an insult to democratic system and a challenge to the public, said Francis Kulathungal, general convener of the committee, on Wednesday.

The authorities need not take up undercover surveillance to know who all were backing the protest movement.

The list included names like V.R. Krishna Iyer, Sukumar Azhikode, M.K. Sanoo, Bishop Sebastian Edayanthrath, Bishop Joseph Karikkassery, Sara Joseph, K. Ajitha, V.M. Sudheeran, Ramesh Chennithala, P.K. Krishnadas, P.C. George, Abdul Nasir Maudany, A.V. Thamarakshan and C.R. Neelakantan, he said.

The Collector’s statement invited protests from other quarters also.

In a statement here on Wednesday, Anoop Chandran, district joint- secretary of All India Democratic Students Organisation, said the statement reminded the stand of an autocrat.

Steps should be taken to remove the Collector from his office, as his statement came after the Minister had apologised for the State action at Moolamppilly and State Human Rights Commission commenting that there had been rights violations, Mr. Chandran said in the statement.

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