High Range Samrakshana Samithi rift blunts protest against Kasturi report

Kottayam: In a major setback to the High Range Samrakshana Samithi (HSS) movement in Idukki against the Kasturirangan report, various constituents of the HSS have dissociated themselves from the agitators’ common platform.

Five taluk unions of the SNDP have decided to oppose the notification on a separate platform thereby splitting the movement.

This follows the alleged move of a section of the LDF leadership in the district to reap political dividends from the strike and the alleged references against Idukki MP P.T. Thomas by the Syro- Malabar Church Bishop Mar Mathew Anikkuzhikattil.

“The agenda of the movement at some juncture was limited to cornering the MP and the election of a new person in the coming elections. This made some leave the HSS,” sources said.

“Other constituents of the HSS have also slowly left the front. The BJP has alleged that the strike was sponsored by the quarry mafias, and it has also quit the HSS,” said a source.

Many people and the activists of the Congress party, who were part of the HSS initially, are also not extending support to the HSS.

“The loss of momentum was apparent in the HSS satyagraha at Adimaly on Wednesday where public participation was minimal,” said sources.

“We are not objecting to the report. What we demand is to remove the anti-farmer and anti-people clauses from it," Anil Tharanilam, Adimaly taluk president of SNDP union, told DC.

Next: KPCC panel to report on affected areas

KPCC panel to report on affected areas

Kochi: A panel of Congress members would visit the areas mentioned in the Kasturirangan committee report in the first half of December and submit a report on the concerns of the affected people for the centre’s consideration, it was decided at the KPCC sub-committee meeting held here on Saturday.

“The samithi will visit areas in Kottayam district on December 9, Wayanad on December 10 and Idukki on December 12 and 13,” M.M. Hassan, sub-committee convener, said.

The members would interact with farmers, farming organisations, green activists and the Idukki bishop and prepare a report that will be submitted to the KPCC.

Detailed discussions will be followed and the final integrated report will be sent to the centre and the AICC, Hassan said.