CM admits to protests on Munnar eviction

Thiruvananthpuram, May 19 (UNI) Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today admitted there had been protests against the appointment of the Special Task Force (STF) engaged in the demolition drive in Munnar.

''When the STF was appointed, there were protests. But they subdued after watching its performance in evicting the encroachers in Munnar,'' he said when asked about reports of protest from the LDF itself regarding the appointment of the STF.

This came even as CPI(M) State Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said the decision to evict the encroachers was taken by the party and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and could not be attributed to any individual.

Mr Achutanandan also said he did not deny the freedom of those who had said there were no protests in the formation of the STF.

Everyone had a right to make statements and all constructive opinions were welcome.

He was speaking at the 'Oru Varsham-Varum Varsham' (One year- Coming Year), a programme organised by the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club on the completion of the first year of the LDF Government.

Asserting that the demolition drive in Munnar will be completed in three months, he said the place would be given a facelift and a ''new Munnar'' will be in place, which would attract more tourists.

''All the encroachers will be evicted and a new Munnar will come up,'' he said.

Regarding the controversial Asian Development Bank loan for urban development, he said the decision to avail the loan was taken after the party's central committee gave the green signal.

''I lodged my protest against the ADB loan noting it could be a heavy burden on the people of the state. Time will only show who was right and who was wrong,'' he said.

UNI