The All-India Youth Federation workers have staged marches in the towns of Pathanamthitta, Adoor, Konni and Ranni on Wednesday, protesting against conversion of the Aranmula puncha (paddy field) and wetland in the name of a proposed private airport project and opposing the move to raise the retirement of Government employees.
Inaugurating the march, Mr P. Prasad, CPI district secretary, called upon the Government to take over the vast expanse of paddy field and revenue land that have been illegally converted in the name of the proposed airport project at Aranmula without any further delay.
According to Mr Prasad, conversion of the water-rich wetlands and paddy fields will lead Kerala that has been regarded as the land of rivers to a frightening situation, especially at a time when many parts of the State have been reportedly reeling under acute drinking water scarcity.
The CPI leader alleged that the studied silence on the part of the authorities concerned towards the illegal paddy land conversion held in Aranmula was a clear testimony to the “unholy official-land mafia nexus’’.
Congress leaders criticised
The Congress(I) leaders, including the local MP, Anto Antony and K. Sivadasan Nair, MLA, have publicly extended support to the airport project, keeping a blind eye towards the disastrous environmental and ecological degradation in store for Aranmula and surrounding villages in the event of conversion of Aranmula puncha and wetland, he alleged.
Mr Prasad, who is also a close associate of the renowned social activist Medha Patkar, said it was not the time for the responsible people’s representatives and politicians to blame each other over what so ever misdeeds that had happened at Aranmula. He further called for a just probe into the alleged irregularities, malpractice, corruption and violation of rules as well as the Kerala Conservation of Paddy land and Wetland Act in the name of a private airport project at Aranmula during the past 10 years. He said stern action should be taken against all parties involved in the alleged land scam and corruption.
Model farm mooted
The CPI leader said the Government should set up a model farm at the illegally converted paddy land at Aranmula and revive cultivation in Aranmula Puncha (paddy field).
Coming down heavily on the Youth Congress State president, P.C. Vishnunath, MLA, who is also a member of the Legislative Committee on Environment, Mr Prasad said it was grossly inappropriate on the part of the MLA to inaugurate the Youth Congress march in support of the private airport held in Pathanamthitta on Tuesday.
Being a member of the Assembly panel, Mr Vishnunath should have viewed the Aranmula issue above all political considerations and in the larger interests of protecting the wetland, paddy fields and the serene rural eco system, Mr Prasad said. Sabu Kannankara, AIYF district vice-president, presided.
The AIYF State joint secretary, Manoj Charalel, inaugurated the march in Ranni and Mr A.P. Jayan, CPI assistant district secretary, inaugurated the march in Adoor.
Mr Manoj has warned the Government of strong agitation in the event of raising the retirement age of the Government employees.
