Tribal leader passess away

Palakkad, Kerala, Jan 7 (UNI) Tribal grandmother Mayilamma, the icon of Kerala's anti-Coke struggle against the over-exploitation of groundwater by the company in Plachimada in the district since April 2002, passed away last night.

She was 70 and is survived by four sons.

Mayilamma was undergoing treatment for psoriasis at a private hospital in Thrissur since December 23.

Mayilamma, the central figure in the community-led campaign in Plachimada in the district to challenge the soft-drink major Coca-Cola company in April 22, 2002, had provided leadership in the community on the campaign, which ultimately led to the closure of the factory in March 2004.

Many national leaders, including Narmada Bachao Andolan activist Medha Patkar had also joined hands with Mayilamma against the Cola unit.

She had kept out of the struggle for the last two months due to her illness and differences of opinion with other samithi leaders.

Her dedicated struggle against the Coca-Cola company shot her into fame internationally and many organisations had honoured her including the Outlook Magazine's 'speak out' from United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

UNI