The DYFI staged a march to Aranmula from Pathanamthitta town, demanding cancellation of the proposed private airport project on Thursday.
The 18-km long march that culminated at Aranmula Iykara junction with a massive torchlight procession and protest meet was led by the DYFI State secretary, T. V. Rajesh, MLA.
Inaugurating the meeting, P. K. Biju, MP, stated that the DYFI would stand firm with the people of Aranmula in protecting the wetland and paddy fields of the heritage village.
He said there was no question of permitting the government and the private company to put even a single piece of stone or earth in the proposed project land.
A large number of DYFI workers from different parts of the district took part in the march and the torchlight procession.
They took an oath to protect the lands of Aranmula. P. R. Pradeep, federation district president, read out the oath.
K. Ananthagopan, CPI(M) district secretary, Roshan Roy Mathew, DYFI district secretary; and others also addressed the meeting.
Haste shown
Earlier, at a press conference here on Thursday, DYFI State secretary, T.V.Rajesh, MLA, alleged said that the haste shown by the Centre as well as the State in granting various clearances for the project was incomprehensibleHe said the DYFI would launch an indefinite satyagraha at the project site, if construction work begins.
Mr. Rajesh said the government should inquire into the circumstances that led to the undue haste shown by the former Principal Secretary to the Industries Department in issuing a notification declaring a large extent of land coming under the villages of Aranmula, Kidangannur and Mallappuzhasserry as industrial area in the name of the airport project.
The DYFI leader termed it a mistake, if the LDF candidate in Aranmula had touted the airport project as his achievement during the last poll campaign.
Published - November 22, 2013 10:23 am IST
