Background
The residents of Keezhattur - in Kannur district - had formed a collective called 'Vayalkilikal' and have been agitating against the proposed acquisition of their paddy fields for the NH bypass, for
months. The truth is that even though the CPM opposed the agitation, its local party workers were
part of it.
It had created an impression that the agitation was hijacked by communal forces. The BJP had
tried to seize the opportunity in order to make inroads into the locality and extended its support to the
agitation. The protesters weren't very keen about it! The CPI has openly supported the agitation and
the Congress has distanced itself away from it.
The CM's Mind
The chief minister has made it clear that his government will not tolerate any agitation thwarting
development. (What cannot be forgotten is that it was his party that had agitated against new projects
while it was in the opposition and gave his predecessor, Oommen Chandy, a lot of problems!)
The 'Why' of the Agitation
The agitating 'Vayalkilikal' are quite emphatic that they're not anti-development. They are sure that
the reclamation of the paddy fields will block water resources and make life miserable for the people
of Keezhattur.
The Anatomy of the 'Operation'
The following factors are worth noting:-
(a) It has been two days after the CPM celebrated the farmers' victory in Maharashtra.
(b) The officials commenced the survey in the morning.
(c) The agitators doused their bodies with kerosene oil and threatened to immolate.
(d) Additional policemen were brought in who arrested about 49 agitating villagers that included
18 women.
(e) The shed erected by the agitators, for protection from the harsh weather, was set afire
around 1400 hrs by the CPM party men, who were against the agitation.
(f) The party, later, paraded 50 people in a press conference claiming that they were residents of
Keezhattur supporting the construction of the bypass but the Vayalkilikal has dubbed them
as fake.
(g) The party, meanwhile, has expelled 11 of its members who are in support of the agitation.
My take.
The government and the Vayalkilikal must sit across a table - set aside the egos - and discuss, to bring around an acceptable decision.....the earlier it's done, the better.
Tailpiece.
A runaway pup had come into our courtyard early in the morning, crying aloud reminding us about our own Doberman, Bruno. Lekha gave him a bowl of milk and bread which he finished within no time and went on to sleep under our Chevy. By evening, he was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps, he has been picked up by somebody to be kept as a pet!
The residents of Keezhattur - in Kannur district - had formed a collective called 'Vayalkilikal' and have been agitating against the proposed acquisition of their paddy fields for the NH bypass, for
months. The truth is that even though the CPM opposed the agitation, its local party workers were
part of it.
It had created an impression that the agitation was hijacked by communal forces. The BJP had
tried to seize the opportunity in order to make inroads into the locality and extended its support to the
agitation. The protesters weren't very keen about it! The CPI has openly supported the agitation and
the Congress has distanced itself away from it.
The CM's Mind
The chief minister has made it clear that his government will not tolerate any agitation thwarting
development. (What cannot be forgotten is that it was his party that had agitated against new projects
while it was in the opposition and gave his predecessor, Oommen Chandy, a lot of problems!)
The 'Why' of the Agitation
The agitating 'Vayalkilikal' are quite emphatic that they're not anti-development. They are sure that
the reclamation of the paddy fields will block water resources and make life miserable for the people
of Keezhattur.
The Anatomy of the 'Operation'
The following factors are worth noting:-
(a) It has been two days after the CPM celebrated the farmers' victory in Maharashtra.
(b) The officials commenced the survey in the morning.
(c) The agitators doused their bodies with kerosene oil and threatened to immolate.
(d) Additional policemen were brought in who arrested about 49 agitating villagers that included
18 women.
(e) The shed erected by the agitators, for protection from the harsh weather, was set afire
around 1400 hrs by the CPM party men, who were against the agitation.
(f) The party, later, paraded 50 people in a press conference claiming that they were residents of
Keezhattur supporting the construction of the bypass but the Vayalkilikal has dubbed them
as fake.
(g) The party, meanwhile, has expelled 11 of its members who are in support of the agitation.
My take.
The government and the Vayalkilikal must sit across a table - set aside the egos - and discuss, to bring around an acceptable decision.....the earlier it's done, the better.
Tailpiece.
A runaway pup had come into our courtyard early in the morning, crying aloud reminding us about our own Doberman, Bruno. Lekha gave him a bowl of milk and bread which he finished within no time and went on to sleep under our Chevy. By evening, he was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps, he has been picked up by somebody to be kept as a pet!
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