The agitation by residents of Keezhattur here against the proposed National Highway bypass is set to resume with wider support as the Congress and the All India Youth Federation (AIYF), the youth wing of the Communist Party of India (CPI), have come forward to back the stir.
The protesting residents received support from the Congress and the AIYF, as activists of Vayalakilikal, a gathering of local residents up in arms against the alignment of the bypass, are scheduled to reinstall the ‘samara pandal’, the temporary structure of the protesters, torched by alleged CPI(M) workers on March 14 following the arrest of the agitating residents to allow National Highway Authority of India officials to plant alignment stones.
The activists had threatened to immolate themselves on March 14 if the NHAI officials entered Keezhattur for planting the stones. The police had then arrested 49 Vayalkilikal activists.
A team of AIYF workers led by State secretary Mahesh Kakkath will visit Keezhattur on Wednesday to express solidarity with the agitating residents of the village, which is a traditional stronghold of the CPI(M). The AIYF said Mr. Kakkath would be accompanied by State and district leaders of the organisation.
The CPI has been taking a sympathetic attitude to the agitation. CPI district secretary P. Santhosh Kumar had stated that his party was with the local residents. The CPI is for replacing the present alignment of the bypass with other alternative proposals.
In another development, KPCC president M.M. Hassan said the Congress will extent full support to the agitation.
Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, he said the CPI(M) and the government should not entertain any illusion that the people's agitation could be suppressed through intimidation and attacks.
Responding to Public Works Minister G. Sudhakaran’s reported statement disparaging the Keezhattur agitation, Mr. Hassan said the Minister’s remarks amounted to a threat against the stir.
