CPM stymies action on quarries: MLA K Rajan
Mr Rajan told DC that the allegations were baseless.
Thrissur: Ollur MLA K. Rajan of the CPI has allegedly put the CPM in the dock by claiming that the CPM would not allow the CPI and its ministers to take a stand against the quarries and crushers at Valakkauv in Nadathara panchayat here. This is as per an audio clipping released here on Tuesday by the functionaries of Malayora Samrakshana Samiti leading the protest against the quarries.
In the audio, Mr Rajan is heard making the comments against the CPM and saying that Forest Minister K. Raju would also be under pressure from the CPM. However, Mr Rajan told DC that the allegations were baseless. The samiti functionaries told reporters that former industries minister E.P. Jayarajan and his successor A. C. Moideen were hand in glove with the quarry owners. After more than two decades of protest and legal fight, district collector A. Kowsigan had on November 1 issued an order to tahsildar Muhammed Sharif to cancel the deeds of six quarries and three crusher units at Valakkavu as they were found to be illegally functioning in forest land.
“The quarry owners have moved the HC, but could not yet get a stay order. The tahsildar did not implement the orders citing that he got an oral direction from the government pleader that the matter was sub-judice and hence the order of the collector could not be implemented,” samiti leader Joby Kaippangal said.
The samiti leaders said that within two days they would release another audio in which Mr P.P. Davis, top functionary of the district quarry and crusher units, mentions about the alleged deal between those in the LDF government. “Last week, when sub-collector Haritha V. Kumar visited the quarries for inspection, a man who claimed to be a close relative of minister Moideen was seen giving directions to her and reassuring the quarry owners in public,” Mr Joby said.