Vilappil readying for ‘final war’

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the City Corporation announcing its decision to resume the transportation of garbage to the Vilappilsala waste treatment plant, the Vilappil Panchayat and the Vilappilsala Samara Samithi are readying for the "final war".

The Panchayat, in an urgent meeting on Sunday evening, resolved to support the people’s fight against the plant. The people of Vilappilsala are determined not to allow the functioning of the ‘killer plant.’ We will fight to the last,’’ Vilappil Panchayat president Sobhanakumari told Express.

"We respect the High Court order. But the Corporation is now misleading the Court by resuming the functioning of the plant without taking any measurers it was supposed to do,’’ she said.

"The Corporation has done nothing to treat the accumulated waste in the plant. Now it wants to resume the functioning before the Court resends the Commission to review the progress of the works,’’ she said.

She also said that the locals will not allow the Corporation to transport clay to the plant. "The Corporation wants to cover the accumulated waste using clay without going in for scientific treatment. We will not allow it,’’ she said.

Sobhanakumari also ridiculed the Mayor’s demand that the plant should be reopened to check the spread of contagious diseases in the city. "We have been going through a hell-like experience for the past 11 years. Respiratory and contagious diseases have become a part of our life. Aren’t our lives valuable?’’ she asked.

‘Ready to Face Any Consequence’

The Vilappil Samara Samithi, the mass organisation which is spearheading the protests, said that it would not allow a single truck into the Vilappil Panchayat. "All of us, men, women and children, will be on the road. Let the Corporation run the trucks over our bodies,’’ said Samithi convener Burhan.

"The Government had given us an assurance on closing down the plant. Now the Corporation wants to sabotage the decision. We will not allow it at any cost. We also do not fear police action,’’ he said.

"The Corporation should withdraw from its move. It is also the Government’s duty to avoid untoward incidents,’’ he said.