KOTTAYAM: Mar Jose Pulickal, the bishop of Kanjirapally diocese has warned the government on the issue of buffer zone. He said the government's stand on the buffer zone would be reflected in votes. Jose Pulickal added that there is no point in the government turning a blind eye and they should be ready to re-examine the steps taken so far. He said this while addressing the anti-buffer zone rally organized at Mundakkayam.

Mar Jose Pulikal's remark was that he believes that the buffer zone will be confined within the forest boundary and that belief will be reflected in the votes. He added that no political party can come to power without considering the farmers and that it is delusional to think so.

At the same time, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that the state government has no clarity on the buffer zone issue. The Union Minister also stated in Kozhikode that the state government should fulfill its responsibility in this regard while speaking at a program held at the Thamarassery Archdiocese headquarters.