CPM in a quandary on Chakkittapara

Kozhikode: The silence of the state-level CPM leaders over the mysteries shrouding the mining plans of MSPL on Payyanikkotta hills in Chakkittapara had put the party in doubts. Breaking the silence, labour minister T.P. Ramakrishnan told DC that the state government would make a public statement only after a study. There were allegations that former industries minister and CPM leader Elamaram Kareem had received ' 5 crore from the company for the mining licence.

However, the local CPM leaders including area secretary N.P. Babu had come out against the company and said that the party would not allow mining. But the state leaders were silent, confusing locals, including the employees of the Plantation Corporation, a huge majority of them CPM workers. The minister said the government was not in a position to make a public statement at this point "without a scientific study.” However, he did not explain why the party was not on anti-mining people’s committee like all other parties.

Committee convener Jithesh Muthukad said it was also mysterious why the government kept silent on the GO issued on July 28 by principal secretary P.H. Kurian denying the extension to principle approval granted to MSPL. The region is marked ecologically sensitive in the Kasturirangan report. However, the Karnataka-based iron ore mining company secured an in-principle permission for mining in 53.9303 hectares in Mavoor village and 282.22503 hectares in Kakkoor village for 30 years.