Tension prevails at Chandanapally estate

Pathanamthitta, June 23 (UNI) Tension prevailed in the Chandanapally rubber estate of the Plantation Corporation of Kerala today following the strike called for tomorrow by the combined plantation trade unions urging the 'Sadhujana Vimochana Samyuktha Vedi' activists, who had encroached upon the land, to evict the place.

Noting that tapping of rubber trees had come to a standstill for the last three days, trade union leaders said they would hold demonstrations and a public meeting in the vicinity of the troubled land.

Police, led by the district Superintendent of Police, had camped in the area, anticipating a clash between the workers and the encroachers.

Meanwhile, state president of the Samyuktha Vedi K Karunakaran, who surfaced at Chandanapally today, told reporters that direct action would be called off if a minimum of two acres of land was given to each tribal family and other down-trodden sections.

More activists, including women and children from other parts of the state erected tents in the encroached land.

Earlier, the 'Sadhujana Vimochana Samyuktha Vedi,' had demanded five acres of forest land and Rs 50,000 each for rehabilitation.

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

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