No change in the stance of encroachers in Govt. plantation

Pathanamthitta, June 22 (UNI) The stance of activists of the 'Sadhujana Vimochana Samyuktha Vedi,' who encaroached upon the Chandanapally rubber estate of the Plantation Corporation of Kerala contiunes to be adamant on their demand for five acres of forest land and Rs 50,000 each for rehabilitation.

Action council leaders today demanded intervention of Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan to resolve the issue.

They even threatened self-immolation if no settlement was reached by June 25.

The encroachers pitched tents in the plantation at Elappupara, Ezhukon and Chandanathadickal yesterday. More activists joined the struggle today raising the number of encroachers to 3,000 housed in 300 tents.

The Police and Forest squads are camping the area.

Meanwhile, the Corporation has decided to resume rubber tapping in the ten acres of land under the encroachment.

Corporation Production Manager S Sivakumar visited the spot today.

UNI XR PMM SK1937