Kerala Law Academy agitation: Issues have not ended, says VS Achuthanandan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Veteran CPM leader V.S. Achuthanandan on Tuesday toughened his stand on Law Academy Law College saying that Lakshmi Nair's decision to relinquish principal’s post for five years is not going to end the issues related to the institution. The Administrative Reforms Commission chairman told reporters here that misuse of government land allotted for educational purpose and atrocities against Dalit students which had led to registration of case against the principal, are still under investigation. Achuthanandan said he was not aware of SFI decision to call off their agitation demanding resignation of Lakshmi Nair.

While the CPM and SFI might have found an amicable solution to the Law Academy agitation for the moment, the veteran leader is in no mood to back their stand. Those close to Achuthandnan say that he is firm on going ahead with his demand for taking back the excess land held by the college administration and exemplary punishment for the Lakshmi Nair for alleged atrocities against Dalit students. Mr Achuthanandan also said the allegations that Law Academy had whitened huge amount of black money and demanded a thorough probe into the charges.

Revenue minister E. Chandrashekharn's directive to probe the allegations of misuse of land has come as a shot in the arm for Achuthanandan. With the veteran keeping up the pressure on the land issue, the revenue department has got action right away. Revenue principal secretary P.H. Kurien has already directed district collector and other officials to collect all documents and revenue related to the Law Academy land. He is likely to complete the examination of records in a couple of days following which a detailed report would be submitted to the minister. Mr Achuthanandan is waiting for the outcome of the report. His next course of action will depend on the outcome of revenue minister’s probe. Achuthanandan is likely to take up the matter at the next state committee meeting.