Kerala opposition leaders continue fast; forest official suspended

By IANS

Thiruvananthapuram : Five opposition legislators in Kerala continued their indefinite fast for the second day here Tuesday, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the controversial land purchase by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at Ponmudi in Thiruvananthapuram district.


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The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) reiterated its demand that Forest Minister Binoy Viswom should step down as the deal was “one of the biggest ever land scams to have hit the state”.

The Kerala government Tuesday suspended one top forest official, transferred two, and ordered an inquiry into the role of five other officials in the deal. But the opposition parties did not withdraw their fast.

Speaker K. Radhakrishnan also held discussions with both government and opposition leaders but the stalemate continued.

“There is no way out for Viswom to continue and we want an inquiry into the deal by the CBI. Another land scam, involving plantation company Harrison and Malayalam Ltd, has been unearthed by us. The government is purposely losing cases against this company. This also has to be inquired into,” opposition leader Oomen Chandy said, addressing UDF protesters near the assembly.

ISRO had purchased 82 acres of forestland in Ponmudi, 75 km from here, from high-profile businessman Savy Mano Mathew to set up a space education institute. The opposition maintains that the land belongs to the forest department and was sold in connivance with Viswom.

The issue has been stalling the legislative assembly proceedings repeatedly ever since the session began earlier this month. The session ends Thursday.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has given a clean chit to Viswom and blamed the land scam on the UDF government, which reportedly amended relevant rules in 2003 to allow people to “usurp” the government land.

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