LDF government should talk to K-Rail protesters: Medha Patkar

Activist addresses protest meeting at Kattilapeedika in Kozhikode

Social and environmental activist Medha Patkar has said that the State government’s SilverLine rail project is similar to the bullet train project in Maharashtra, against which a massive protest is going on that has the support of the Left parties.

“Protests against such high-speed rail projects are going on in Malaysia and Indonesia as well. I cannot understand how the Left parties can oppose the same project in one State while promoting it in another,” said Ms. Patkar, while inaugurating the 466th day of public protest against the semi high-speed SilverLine rail project at Kattilapeedika in Kozhikode on Monday.

She said she expected the Left government in Kerala to engage in dialogue with the affected people at the earliest, rather than following in the footsteps of the Prime Minister who refused to talk to farmers during their protest. “While he is in Kozhikode for his party conference, I want to see if the Chief Minister will visit one of the houses where the survey stones have been laid and enquire if it was done following the rules. This will decide if he is just like the PM or not,” she said.