4-year-old agitation before Coca-Cola plant called off

Palakkad, Aug 19: The four-year-old agitation by tribals led by the Adivasi Samrakshana Samithi before the plant of the Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages at Plachimada in the district was called off today.

The satyagraha by the tribals before the plant was also withdrawn following the banning of the production and sale of Coca Cola and Pepsi by the Kerala Government, Samithi leaders Mayilamma, Swaminathan and other leaders told a news conference here today.

The Samithi would take legal recourse for compensation for the environmental damage caused by the company in the area, they said and urged the government to conduct a study to assess the damage.

The agitation began on April 22, 2002 demanding the closure of the plant following depletion of groundwater and environmental pollution in the area.

However, agitation by some other organisations before the plant was still continuing.

UNI