PWD minister G Sudhakaran blames troublemakers for National Highway row
Promises that the government would amicably settle the issue at the meeting to be held on April 11.
Thiruvananthapuram: Public works department minister G. Sudhakaran on Friday said all issues related to land acquisition for the development of National Highway 66 in Malappuram district will be discussed in detail at the meeting being held here on April 11. Sudhakaran said the proposed meeting was decided following the apprehensions and concerns of the land owners of the area which were conveyed by local MLA K.N.A Khader in Assembly. The state level meeting to be held at 10.30 am in the secretariat will be attended by all parties having representation in Assembly and Parliament.
Apart from minister in charge of Malappuram K T Jaleel, officials of NHAI, PWD and other departments will take also attend the meeting. The minister said at a time when the state government and Assembly were making all efforts to resolve the issues, people of the state are at loss to understand the intention behind the attack on officials and setting fire in the area. “What is the intention of rioters? For whom are they resorting to such violent activities ?” he asked.
He said the home department had issued clear directions to the police to maintain restrain even in the face of grave provocation from the side of agitators. However, the safety of the police personnel especially those coming under attack from violent mobs is also important. “None should take this as a weak stand,” he said. Sudhakaran said the main stream political parties and political organisations in the district should publicly isolate the elements which are resorting to violence.
“Our government is not in favour of using force to deal with agitations. It is not our government’s policy. This was clarified on the floor of the House. But we cannot run away from our responsibilities,” he said. While strongly condemning the violence unleashed by a section of agitators on Friday, the appealed to all sections to refrain from violent activities and maintain peace. He asked the trouble makers to apologise.