Talks inconclusive, protesters continue stir in Wayanad

KOZHIKODE: The landless people, evicted from the encroached vested forestland near the Harrisons Malayalam Limited at Thovarimala in Wayanad, are continuing their agitation in front of the collectorate in Kalpetta, after talks with the district collector remained inconclusive.
Their main demand include allocation of two acres each for the people and release of the leaders of the agitation who were arrested under the Forest Act.
"We had a round of discussion with the collector and raised our demands. The collector told us that a decision on distribution of land can be taken only with the consent of the cabinet. He promised us to convey the demand to the ministers concerned," said M K Dasan, state general secretary of the CPI-ML (Red Star), which is leading the struggle.
"We have also demanded the release of three of our leaders, M P Kunhikanaran, Rajesh Apatt and K G Manoharan, who are now lodged in Vythiri sub-jail. We will consult the leaders about the future course of the agitation once they are freed," Dasan said.
Hundreds of people, including tribesmen, encroached and occupied the land at Thovarimala on Sunday.
The agitators were later forcibly evicted by the police and forest department officials. They gathered in front of the collectorate and continued their agitation under the All India Krantikari Kisan Sabha.