Kozhikode: Hundreds of people including women and children, from Ponnani taluk in Malappuram district, claiming to be victims of the land acquisition drive for the expansion of NH-17, assembled before the Indian Union Muslim League office at Kozhikode on Sunday, registering their protest and seeking the intervention of the party in the matter which led to a scuffle between IUML activists and the protestors.
The protestors assembled before the office well ahead of the meeting of the IUML secretariat scheduled on Sunday. They tried to block Public Works Minister V.K. Ebrahim Kunju from entering League House.
IUML leader and Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty tried to pacify the protestors but they were in no mood to listen to him. The Minister then lost his cool and told the protestors that the IUML would not be cowed down by such threats.
“If you are doing this for getting media coverage, then go ahead. But don’t think we will be scared by such actions. I told you the party would discuss your concerns. But, if you are not listening, then don’t think that you can hold us up for ransom. We are also from Malappuram and have seen many such agitations”, he told them without mincing his words.
IUML national secretary E.T. Mohammed Basheer later told reporters that holding protests in front of the office of a political organization would set a ‘wrong precedent’ in the state. He said the party was helpless in reducing the width of the highway from 45 metres to 30 metres.
The party would work for a better compensation and rehabilitation package for those likely to be evicted, he said. The protestors, however, said they had not come to stage an agitation but to highlight the plight of those who stood to lose their land and dwellings.
Next: Extremists behind agitation, says Aryadan
Extremists behind agitation, says Aryadan
Kozhikode: The ongoing agitations against the national highway expansion in Malappuram and other places in the state are spearheaded by extremists, transport minister Aryadan Mohammad said in Palakakd on Sunday. The minister said that according to the National Highway Authority of India stipulation, the standard width for national highway is 60 metres.
But in the case of Kerala this has been reduced to 45 metres and all political parties in the state agreed for the 45-metre width. “Even this is being opposed and that is not acceptable” the minister said.
Minister also said that development projects cannot be diluted on the basis of religion or caste. “Such considerations will have serious repercussions for the future and growth of the state”, he added.
