KOZHIKODE: The anti-GAIL agitation council is spreading the agitation to other parts of the project even as the GAIL is on with the pipe-laying work. The agitators erected a new tent at Sarkkarparambu near Mukkam in Karassery panchayat on Wednesday where protesters, including women, staged a sit-in and organised a padayathra. The agitation led by the IUML is a UDF affair now keeping others such as Popular Front of India at bay. The UDF leadership has directed its rank and file to be vigilant about the possible infiltration of the workers of the organisation into the agitation.
Action council leader C.P. Cheriya Muhammed told DC that women and children participated in the 24-hour protest which concluded on Thursday evening. "After the formation of the coordination committee with members belonging to various regions through which the GAIL project is passing, more people are coming forward to join the peaceful agitation," he said.
What worries the GAIL management is the slow progress of the work. In the 79.5-km distance in the district, only 4.5 km has reached the final phase. GAIL deputy general manager M. Viju told DC that the work was progressing. "After the police put down the agitation, there has been no attempt to attack the GAIL team," he said. It may be recalled that the agitation at Eranjimavu near Mukkam in October had turned violent and over 30 workers of the action council were arrested and imprisoned and about 800 persons were booked.
