KOCHI: Unhappy with the settlement arrived at the conciliatory discussion called by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday, residents of Puthuvype said agitation against the proposed IOC LPG terminal will continue till a permanent solution is found.
Xavier, the vice-president of the LPG Terminal Virudha Janakeeya Samara Samithi, said the government’s decision to stop the construction of the LPG Import Terminal, however, was an interim relief to the protesters. He called it a victory to the supporters of the non-violent protests.
“The protests will continue. We trust the committees constituted by the government to look into the issue. We expect their report will be in our favour,” he said.
By noon, the result of the conciliatory talk was communicated to hundreds of protesters camping in front of the proposed terminal in Puthuvype. A large posse of police personnel is also camping at the venue.
“We do not want the IOC plant here. This is a battle for our survival. We are fighting not for ourselves but for our children who have to live here,” said Thankamma, 78, one of the protesters at the pandal.
“The strike will not be called off until the government decides to shift the terminal,” said Sabeena, a BBA graduate and one of the protesters.