Date:31/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/31/stories/2008103151400300.htm

Kerala

Divest Paloli of Home portfolio: Morcha

Staff Reporter

Says the Minister whitewashing NDF, PDP
VS told to take up Home portfolio

MALAPPURAM: Mahila Morcha State president Sobha Surendran has demanded that the additional responsibility of the State’s Home affairs be removed from Local Administration Minister Paloli Mohammed Kutty and vested with Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan.

Mr. Mohammed Kutty has been given additional charge of the Home Department as Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has gone on a trip to the U.S.

In a statement here on Friday, the Mahila Morcha leader accused Mr. Mohammed Kutty of whitewashing organisations like the National Development Front (NDF) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Mr. Mohammed Kutty had denied the need to ban the PDP and the NDF in the wake of their suspected involvement in driving youths to terror groups.

War of words

She said CPI(M) leaders Pinarayi Vijayan and Mr. Achuthanandan were trying to hijack the public mood against terrorism by launching a war of statements on the NDF and the PDP.

“The NDF and the PDP, which have been instrumental in recruiting hundreds of youths to terror organisations, should be banned,” she said. Ms. Surendran demand that if the Chief Minister was genuine in his statements, then he should take up the responsibility of Home. “The Local Administration Minister’s denial of police finding about the recruitment of Kerala youths to terrorist organisations was part of a deliberate attempt to make the investigation officers ineffective,” she said.

KC(J) flays CPI(M)

The Kerala Congress(J) has accused the CPI(M) of encouraging fundamentalists in the State. Party district president Mathew Sebastian and general secretary K.U. Thomas said here on Thursday that the CPI(M) had encouraged organisations like the People’s Democratic Party and the National Development Front in the State. The CPI(M)’s attempts to weaken the United Democratic Front and the Indian Union Muslim League had helped communal forces widen their base in the State. The recent terrorist-related developments in the State had brought shame on millions of Indians working abroad.

They said Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan’s foreign trip at a time when the State was reeling under pressure from various sides for its failure in suppressing terrorist links was irresponsible.

The district conference of the party will be held here on Saturday and Sunday. Party chairman Johny Nellore will inaugurate the conference on Saturday afternoon. Party leader T.M. Jacob will inaugurate the valedictory session on Sunday afternoon.