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Govt. trying to muffle voices of dissent: Veliyam

By Our Staff Reporter

KOTTAYAM Dec. 14. The concerted effort from certain quarters to create an impression that agitations were taboo was part of a larger agenda in muffling the voice of dissent in the Kerala's democratic polity, the CPI secretary, Veliyam Bhargavan, said here today.

Participating in a `Meet-the-Press' programme, the CPI leader pointed out that the debate on agitations emanating from ruling circles have been styled in such a way that they conclude that agitations and strikes had to be abolished.

This was a precursor to something more ominous, he said. According to him, those who tried to sell this theory were either hiding the reality or were toally unaware of what was happening in countries like Britain, France and Italy.

He made it clear that his party's opposition was not against the State going for financial assistance from agencies, but against the conditionalities being imposed on the State by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The conditions should be made public and no one will be allowed fool the people, he said.

The dharna by the MLAs in front of the Assembly, scheduled for December 17, was against the attitude of the Government in keeping the people in the dark about the conditionalities imposed by the ADB he said.

The party would organise a Statewide siege of taluk offices on December 19 against the fast deteriorating law and order situation in the State.

Hoodlums have taken over law and order administration in the State, he alleged, and added that police atrocities had reached a zenith.

He also wanted the State Government to implement steps to revive the sagging fortunes of the traditional industries, especially coir industry.

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