Biz meet lashes out at Maoist attack on Nita
Attack criminal act, raises huge question mark on future investment prospectus
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-11-16 06:41 GMT
Kochi: Representatives of political parties, managements and trade unions poured out their anger at the attack on the corporate headquarters of Nitta Gelatin India Limited in Kochi on November 11 but insisted that companies ensure transparency in their operations. The victim of the attack was not just the company but the state as a whole, they felt. Speaking at a panel discussion on ‘Taking law unto your hands - Whither Kerala Industry’ organised by the Kerala Management Association (KMA) in Kochi on Friday, the speakers termed the attack a criminal act and expressed the fear that it could affect the investment prospects of the State.
KPCC general secretary Benny Behanan, MLA, said the government should act more proactively to ensure that industries are protected fully. “Whatever be the grievances of a section of society, a nation governed by rule of law cannot approve of what happened to Nitta Gelatin,” he said.BJP state general secretary A.N. Radhakrishnan said environmental terrorism often came in the way of development.
He, however, pointed out that the company had been less than serious about addressing the issue of pollution the local residents raise. Dr Sebastian Paul, former member of Parliament, said the some of the agitators have a single point agenda to close the company, which was not acceptable. K N Gopinathan, CITU district president, said his organisation did not see this as an isolated event, and can have international connections. “We cannot allow people with little concern for the people target industries under the guise of environmental activism,” he said.
Shivadas B. Menon, industrialist and former president of TiE Kerala chapter, said the incident would be an irritant to the investment climate in the State. “The damage has been done at a time when the government is launching innovative programmes like incubation centres,” he said. K Premchand, KMA president, said it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that companies complied with the laws of the land. Vivek K Govind, co-chairman, YI-CII Kerala, said the attack has sent shivers down the investing community.