Nadukani likely to open for stranded people to return

Malappuram: The state government is likely to consider the demand to open Nadukani checkpost on Nilambur-Gudallur inter-state highway for stranded people to return to Kerala.
The government had declared six entry points to the state from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for the people stranded in other states to return; but Nadukani was not included as entry point.After this, political parties, including CPM, have been demanding the state government to allow people to return through Nadukani as the highway is shortest route to Kerala from parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said the government will try to resolve the issue after discussing with the government of Karnataka.
Earlier the district committee of CPM had demanded the chief minister to intervene in the issue. District secretary E N Mohandas said hundreds of people from the district, including students, patients and senior citizens, are stranded in other states and the Nadukani entry point is the shortest way for them to return to their homes. “As the entry through Nadukani was not allowed, stranded people are forced to take longer routes through Muthanga in Wayanad and Walayar in Palakkad, travelling an additional of around 200km,” Mohandas said in a statement.
District Congress committee president V V Prakash said hundreds of people are experiencing difficulties due to the long-distance travel to return to the state and he also demanded the government to open the Nadukani checkpost.
Demanding to open the checkpost, district committee of Youth Congress organised a cycle journey from Vazhikkadavu to Malappuram district collectorate on Wednesday. District Congress committee president V V Prakash flagged off the journey. Four leaders of the organisation pedalled for 60km from Vazhikkadavu to Malappuram to Malappuram and submitted a memorandum to additional district magistrate Mehar Ali, demanding to open Nadukani route.