Government scuttling Sabarimala project: BJP

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai has alleged that the government was trying to scuttle the Sabarimala development project by reversing its earlier order to release substitute land to the Forest Department.

He alleged that the Idukki District Collector’s order cancelling the transfer of the 313-acre land at Kambakkallu to the Forest Department was due to the pressure from communal forces and land mafia. He sought a judicial inquiry into the decision.

Earlier it was decided to transfer 313 acres of land at Kambakkallu as compensation for the forest land taken over for Sabarimala development.

Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, Pillai said that with the decision the future of the multi-crore development project being carried out at Pampa and Sabarimala was at stake.

The BJP has asked its Pathanamthitta unit to go ahead with the agitation programmes against this move, he said.

On the killing of K.Suryanarayana by the Taliban militia, Pillai said the Central Government had failed to ensure the safety of Indians working in Afghanistan.

“Despite the threat of the Taliban forces to the lives of Indians, the Centre had not taken any effective measures,” he alleged.