'Sadhu Jana Vedi' submits 5-point charter of demands

Pathanamthitta, Jun 3 (UNI) The 'Sadhu Jana Vimochana Samyuktha Vedi' today submitted a five-point charter of demands for ending the encroachment on the Kumbazha Estate owned by Harrisons Malayalam Ltd at Chengara.

Vedi president Laha Gopalan submitted the charter to District Collector Raju Narayana Swamy.

The submission of the charter was facilitated by the understanding reached between the Vedi leaders and the Collector yesterday.

Mr Gopalan, however asserted that the 304-day-long land struggle would be ended only after the government conceded their demands.

The 'Vedi' had retreated from its earlier demand of five acres of land to each encroacher family and a sum of Rs 50,000 to build a house. In the charter of demands the Vedi sought one acre of land to all encroachers belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and converted Christians.

They should be provided with financial assistance for one year for cultivation and food. Other encroachers had to be given a few cents of land. Another demand was provision of five acres of land for renovation of 'Kalleli Appooppan Kavu.' It also demanded withdrawal of all cases registered against the Vedi activists. The District Collector said he would forward the charter of demands to Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and Revenue Minister K P Rajendran.

UNI XR SJ RL NS1935