KOTTAYAM: The High Range Samrakshana Samithi (HRSS), which got its representative Joice George elected to the Lok Sabha in the 2014 elections from Idukki, has dismissed speculation it will merge with Democratic Kerala Congress before the elections this time.
HRSS convenor Fr Sebastian Kochupurackal told DC that the Samithi will be disbanded once its avowed goal of ensuring title deeds of all the farmers, including 50,000 people who are yet to get it. He, however, refused to comment whether the HRSS will field a candidate in the coming elections.
Fr Kochupurackal lauded the LDF government for the speedy distribution of more than 20,000 title deeds after it came to power and expressed satisfaction over the ministry of environment and forests (MOEF) taking off 9,993 acres from the Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) limit after accepting the report of the Oommen V. Oommen committees recommendations.
He said the entire ESA in the state should be limited to 8,656 square kilometres.
Fr Kochupurackal's reaction came at a time when it was speculated that the purpose of the HRSS is over with Centre approving the Oommen committee’s proposals.
