Mullaperiyar tree felling was conspiracy hatched with knowledge of Chief Minister, says opposition leader

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader VD Satheesan on Thursday alleged that the Mullaperiyar tree felling was a conspiracy hatched with the knowledge of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Speaking to the media, Satheesan said that the government has weakened the Mullaperiyar case through its action.

"It is difficult to believe the government's claim that the CM and other ministers were unaware of the order permitting felling of trees at Mullaperiyar. The government has weakened the Mullaperiyar case through its action. Chief Wildlife Warden of the state issued an order permitting the felling of trees hours after the Tamil Nadu minister visited the Baby dam. The ministers are now claiming that they were unaware of such an order. How can anyone believe this claim? The order was issued as part of a conspiracy hatched in the office of the Chief Minister with the knowledge of the CM," Satheesan said.