JD(S) demands Achuthanandan's resignation

Kozhikode, May 7 (UNI) The Janata Dal(Secular) in Kerala today demanded the resignation of Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan for his ''failure'' to prevent encroachment of government lands and illegal constructions at Munnar in Idukki district.

Briefing newspersons after a state committee meeting here, party President A Neelalohitadasan Nadar said Mr Achuthandan had no moral right to continue in office as he had not taken any remedial measure to contain the activities despite his visit to Munnar.

Stating that these illegal activities were going on with the tacit support of both the ruling and opposition fronts for the last several years, he demanded that a white paper on the issue be brought out to provide information to the people.

Mr Nadar said his party would take out a protest march to Munnar, if the government failed to prevent the land grab and evict the occupants.

The party also sought the resignation of Health Minister P K Sreemathi, owning moral responsibility for death of many infants at a government-run hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.

He said the meet decided to hold sit-in protest during evening before the Thiruvanathapuram Medical College and at all the district headquarters on May 23, demanding better facilities for patients referred to the medical colleges in the state.

UNI