Vedi activists enroaches Chengara estate

Pathanamthitta, Aug 5 (UNI) Around two thousand activists belonging to ''Sadhu Jana Vimochana Vedi'' encroached upon the Kurumpatty Division of Chengara estate owned by the Harisson Malayalam Plantation last night.

The activists of the ''Vedi'' threatened to commit suicide, if any move occurred to evict them from their quarters, and have set up more than 500 huts.

In the altercations between the Vedi workers and Harrison Plantation labourers, the atmosphere became tense.

A plantation labourer, who was taken as hostage by the encroachers, was freed by the police. Last year, a similar agitation was staged by the activists in the Chandanapally estate.

Leaders of the Vedi Thattayil Saraswathy and T S Achuthan said the struggle would continue till August 15.

The land occupied by the Vedi' followers had been taken on lease for 99 years from Chengannur Mundankavu Vanjipuzha Matom. On expiry of the lease period, the Matom had issued eviction notice to the Harisson Plantation.

UNI