Mass apathy has GAIL stir lose steam

Kozhikode: With a series of cases slapped on leaders as well as workers of the action council and infighting among UDF constituents against taking over the agitation, the week-long  anti-GAIL agitation, is gradually losing steam.

With cases registered against countless workers and 35 leaders languishing in jail after being slapped with non-bailable offences including sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), the leaders of the action council are struggling to keep the spirit of agitators aflame.

There is a widespread feeling that the agitation failed to garner the expected mass support of affected people living in the 160 km-long stretch in the district. The next step of the agitation will be designed only after ensuring a well-knit organisational structure. The action council was represented by people from all political parties including the CPM, it was pointed out.

Leader of the agitation CP Cheriya Muhammed told DC that the tiny village of Eranjimavu had become the epicentre of the agitation and most of those arrested also were from there. “Protests erupted over the 10 km stretch in the border region of Kozhikode- Malappuram districts while the GAIL pipeline covers about 160 kilometres in the district. The villagers, particularly parents of youngsters, who have been arrested and imprisoned in connection with the agitation feel that if the action council had ensured the support of people in the entire stretch, the police as well as CPM would not have the guts to suppress it in such a way,” he said.

A convention of victims from Kozhikode and Malappuram districts would be convened in Kozhikode soon and would plan the future course of action.

The infiltration of certain elements into the agitation also resulted in a section of LDF leaders branding the agitation as being guided by ‘extremist’ elements.

Police officials also pointed out the similarities of the protest with that of hardcore Islamic outfits like burning of tyres and timber in the middle of the road, stone pelting at police after covering the face and regrouping soon after the lathicharge. “Wherever the police team cleared the road blocks with the help of the fire and rescue team, the agitators managed to create another heap of tyres and timber in an adjacent spot indicating the involvement of multiple cadre groups”,an official said.  “The tempo of the mob was alarming and there was sufficient indication that there was meticulous planning to trigger off violence”, he said, adding that the strict action by police curbed the plans of the protestors.

Thirty five persons are in prisons, 23 in Kozhikode and 12 in Manjery in connection with the agitation and more action is likely against about 800, police said.