The Plachimada Anti-Coca Cola Struggle Committee and Plachimada Struggle Solidarity Committee have threatened to ‘takeover' the land owned by Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages Private Limited at Plachimada in Palakkad district if the government delayed constitution of the Plachimada compensation tribunal.
In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Revenue Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, Finance Minister K.M. Mani, and Water Resources Minister P.J. Joseph, the two organisations pointed out that the people of Plachimada had been waiting for compensation for the last more than 10 years. The constitution of the tribunal was getting delayed on account of the government's laxity. Hence the people of Plachimada had no other option but to take over land directly from the cola company, they said.
The delegation that called on the Chief Minister and others comprised Struggle Committee chairman Vilayodi Venugopal and Solidarity Committee convener K.V. Biju. The delegation also called on Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan and submitted a copy of the memorandum to him.