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‘Move to silence victims of windmill scam in Attappadi’
Credit: By Nidheesh M K | ENS - KOCHI Published: 26th August 2013 | The New Indian Express | newindianexpress.com ~~
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Translate: FROM English | TO English
Confirming the worst fears of tribal activists across the state, it has been revealed that a clandestine move is on to silence victims of the massive windmill scam in Attappadi.
Mannarkkad MLA N Shamsudeen told ‘Express’ that intermediaries had approached him also in order to involve political class in these discussions.
“Discussions are on in Attappadi to silence victims of the windmill scam. Intermediaries are offering money to tribals and, in return, taking over their land. Political parties, their local leaders and some so-called activists are also involved in these discussions,” he said.
“Last year, they had tried to contact me for such a high-level discussion. But as the discussions had no legal standing, I abstained from it and the whole move collapsed. They didn’t contacted me again but the discussions are still on,” the MLA told ‘Express’, in the sidelines of a national seminar organised by the Muslim Youth League in Ernakulam.
The allegedly dubious methods used by corporate giants to acquire alienated tribal lands and install windmill farms in Attappadi was reported in the media three years ago. It later came to be known as Attappadi windmill scam.
31 windmills
It was alleged that 31 windmills were set up by Suzlon Energy Limited and Sarjan Realties Limited on tribal land and that it was procured through fraudulent means.
A committee headed by the Chief Secretary had noted that 374.48 acres of tribal land on which Suzlon had set up windfarms were procured using fabricated documents and betraying tribals.
However, on the basis of a petition by Suzlon, the High Court stayed the government’s decision to recover about 85.21 acres of tribal land which is in possession of the company.
The company also obtained a stay against the police arrest of its directors and staff.
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