Protest against SilverLine once again in high power

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite holding a massive campaign and door to door visits to earn support for the SilverLine project, the inability to overcome the protest against the project is becoming a cause of concern for the state government. The protest intensified as soon as the installation of survey stones resumed. The struggle and controversy intensified after a policeman trampled the K-Rail protesters with boots in Thiruvananthapuram yesterday.

The survey was suspended in view of the party congress in Kannur amidst intense protests. Although the CPM leaders went on home visits just before the party congress to explain the compensation package, the protests did not subside. The survey was halted after protests erupted there as well.

Many leaders opined that the controversy created by the people's struggle will worsen when national leaders and state representatives arrive to attend the party congress.

The CPM had decided to launch an extensive campaign to create a pro-project public sentiment and establish that the Opposition was criticising the project as part of a political campaign. This was followed by the strong protests faced by survey officials at Karichara in Kazhakkoottam.

Door-to-door visits
The CPM believes that the protests would subside when people start to get compensation. The challenge it is currently facing is how to quell the protest before the distribution of compensation. There are those who see this as similar to the protests during the Sabarimala women's entry verdict. Top CPM leaders will soon start visiting houses to earn support for SilverLine. The development policy will also be used for the campaign.