THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The opposition UDF has asked the government to convene an emergency session of the state assembly to discuss concerns raised about the SilverLine semi high-speed rail corridor project.
A meeting of the front here on Wednesday decided to strengthen its agitation against the project.
“The UDF will not allow the government to go ahead with the alignment works or land acquisition,” UDF convener M M Hassan told reporters after the meeting. "We will approach the government and assembly speaker with a demand to convene an assembly session.”
The UDF will launch the agitation in all districts through which the SilverLine passes. It has been decided to have four permanent agitation venues in districts that will be worst affected by land acquisition — Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhikode and Kannur, Hassan said.
He said the UDF will also convene three regional sessions in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode — like the chief minister — to interact with people. The front will parade those losing their properties in these sessions, named Janakeeya Sadassu. Besides, 100 protest meetings will be organized in areas where land is being acquired. Those affected by land acquisition will lead these meetings.
Hassan said the UDF will, unlike the CM, talk to common people. “The CM's first interaction with a section of people itself showed that it was a PR exercise. Only those supporting him were allowed to speak. Keralites understand such gimmicks,” he said.
A leaflet detailing the drawbacks of the project — to be distributed among households — was also released at the meeting.
