Congress won't back land grabbers

IDUKKI: The Congress on Tuesday said it will not support those who have encroached the government land in Munnar. Addressing an UDF-led agitation in Munnar, KPCC interim president

M M Hassan

said an explanation would be sought from party secretary A K Mani, who attended a meet organized to protest the eviction move.

Taking a dig at V S Achuthanandan, the 93-year-old chairman of the state administrative reforms commission, Hassan said the veteran Marxist had not yet visited Munnar, which exposed his double standards. Hassan also pointed out that power minister M M Mani was supporting S Rajendran, MLA, who had "encroached" the KSEB land at Ekka Nagar.

CITU

denies role in resort closure: Peermade Hotel and Resorts Employees Union (CITU) president K M Siddique said the CPM was not involved in the incidents that led to the closure of a resort at Thekkady. The union members on Sunday allegedly locked up tourists, including foreigners, at

Green Woods

resort here as part of their protest against the transfer of two workers from the resort after they joined CITU. Following the protest, the resort management decided to close it down.