The Adivasi Land Rights Protection Council (ALRPC) has decided to intensify the agitation for land and compensation to those tribal people evicted from the abandoned hydroelectric project area in Perinjamkutty.
Its convenor Babu Arackal has said that even after the relay hunger strike in front of the Collectorate at Painavu crossed over 200 days no concrete decision was taken by the district administration and the State government for their rehabilitation. Adivasis including women are on a hunger strike under the banner of the ALRPC, and many meetings were held at the Collectrorate, he said adding that no serious action was taken so far on the promises given to them At the meetings convened by the District Collector, they were given promises to rehabilitate them in a time frame. It was at the last meeting, the District Collector announced to rehabilitate them before April 22. The meeting was also attended by the representatives of various political parties.
Though it was earlier informed them that they would be rehabilitated in Munnar area, later it was announced that land has been demarcated for their rehabilitation in Peerumade taluk. It was at the last meeting, they were given promise to provide land and a time frame was decided.
Mr Babu said that the agitation will be intensified from May 1 and they will start hunger strike in front of the assembly if the authorities fail in keeping the promise given to them. The Adivasis are now being threatened to withdraw from the hunger strike in front of the Collectorate, he said. The authorities should cancel all cases registered against them and the land earmarked for them should be allocated without any further delay, he said.
