With the efforts of Idukki District Collector V. Ratheesan to buy peace with women agitators proving unsuccessful, the women have resolved to continue with their indefinite occupation of the main road leading to Munnar and received a shot in their arm with Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan promising to join them.
Mr. Achuthanandan, who returned from Palakkad on Friday evening, would decide his journey to Munnar on Saturday, his office told The Hindu . The Leader of the Opposition had earlier in the morning termed the government stance on the strike “irresponsible’ and threatened to join the agitating women if the government and the Kanan Devan Hill Plantations (KDHP) Company did not change their stance.
Local CPI(M) legislator S. Rajendran said he would launch an indefinite fast in support of the estate workers’ strike on Saturday. The striking women had mobbed the MLA when he reached the agitation venue in the morning.
However, CPI legislator E.S. Bijimol took part in the talks with the District Collector.
Reacting to the developments in Munnar, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala told reporters separately that the government wanted an early end to the strike. Mr. Chennithala said the government was also looking into the question whether there was anyone behind the strike. In a statement in the capital, KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran also joined the clamour for an early settlement of the strike.
Demand for immediate intervention by the Chief Minister came from CPI(M) State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan as well.
