Thrissur: The CPI has opposed the Athirappally hydel power project proposed to be implemented by Power Minister M.M. Mani. “The LDF has not made any mention of the project in its manifesto and the communists have to protect nature,” CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran said here on Sunday. Addressing a meeting held in connection with a human chain organised by the party’s youth wing, AIYF, near the Athirappally waterfalls, he said, “any project that harms environment cannot be implemented. The government needs to pursue other means of energy like solar power. As the project is not in the LDF manifesto, there is no need to create any controversies over it,” he said.
Hundreds of AIYF members along with tribals, greens and residents of Athirappally, who took part in the human chain, pledged to protect the Athirappally forest and Chalakkudy river. CPI leader K.P. Rajendran, MLA K. Rajan, AIYF state secretary Mahesh Kakkath and district secretary T. Pradheep Kumar among others took part in the protest. The CPM heading the LDF is in favour of the project after reaching a consensus with the parties concerned. The Youth Congress and the youth wings of Indian Union Muslim League and Kerala Congress (M) had also conducted protests earlier at Athirappally against the project. The KSEB says the project will not harm the environment and plans to come up with a documentary to explain its stand.
