In the absence of any promised government action to mitigate their sufferings, hundreds of victims of groundwater exploitation and pollution caused by aerated drinks major Coca-Cola in this predominantly agrarian village are preparing for yet another round of intense agitation and that too on the 15th anniversary of their continuing resistance to corporate plunder.
The Plachimada Struggle Committee comprising Dalits and tribals has also decided to begin the agitation on April 22 after shifting the venue to the premises of the Palakkad Collectorate. The Plachimada Struggle Solidarity Committee and various civil society movements across the State will also form part of the intense agitation which would highlight the State government’’s lackadaisical attitude in reintroducing the Plachimada Coca-Cola Victims’ Relief and Compensation Tribunal Bill, 2011, in the State Assembly. The bill, passed unanimously by the State Assembly, was later despatched for the President’s assent but gathered dust at the Union Home Ministry for several years. The President returned it last year saying the Bill was not in conformity with the federal principles. During the Assembly election, the LDF promised to reintroduce the Bill in the Assembly in a way not in conflict with federal principles and not requiring President’s assent. However, the government has done nothing so far.
Interim compensation
“Besides steps to reintroduce the Bill and form the tribunal, we demand interim compensation for all the Plachimada victims apart from packages to meet farming and drinking water needs of the region. Water has turned scarce and agriculture has totally collapsed in Plachimada though the company stopped functioning in 2005 unable to withstand our intense agitation,” said struggle committee leader Vilayodi Venugopal. The victims are also demanding further action on the case registered against top officials of Coca-Cola by district police under the Prevention of Atrocities against SC/ST People Act. Revenue recovery of all the assets of the company in Plachimada is another demand.
According to Arumughan Pathichira of solidarity committee, the continuing inaction on the part of the State government favouring the American company would cause erosion of people’s faith in democratic polity. Moreover, it is a huge injustice to the residents of Plachimada, who have already suffered a lot.
“Coca-Cola caused severe environmental degradation through excessive extraction of groundwater and irresponsible disposal of sludge. Water sources in the area have been affected, and water scarcity has become more acute,” says P. Murugesan, a local resident.
“The company misguided farmers by passing off the sludge as manure, and is responsible for soil degradation, water contamination, and farm losses. Agriculture production and production of milk, meat, and eggs in the area have dipped,” he says.
“Metals such as cadmium, lead, and chromium have been detected in the sludge. Skin ailments and breathing problems among people are still on the rise,” says Arumugan.
