Representative image showing people protesting.
Credit: iStock Image
Thirvanathapuram: Posing a fresh challenge for the construction of a township for rehabilitating the landslide-affected people of Wayanad, workers of the Elstone estate at Kalpetta being taken over for the rehabilitation has launched a stir on Sunday demanding due compensation.
Ruling CPi(M) affiliated trade union CITU is spearheading the stir that started a day after the construction of township started.
CPI(M) local leader and CITU district treasurer P Gagarin said that since the estate was taken over by the government, the government should ensure the protection of the estate workers who would lose their jobs. As many as 76 workers would be losing their jobs.
The estate management also owed around Rs. 11 crore due to the 300 odd employees of the entire estate. The government should take steps to pay the dues from the amount being given for acquiring the estate.
The work on the construction of the township began on Saturday. Though a dispute is going on between the estate management and government over the price, the High Court on Friday directed that the work can commence after the government deposits Rs. 44 crore as price for around 65 hectare of land being taken over.