Panchayat planning legal action

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A closed factory and two local bodies fighting over it could be the worst development when a city is waiting for a waste management solution. While it was the City Corporation which decided to move legally against the Vilappil panchayat for shutting down a plant operated by it, the latter decided to do the same on Friday after an emergency panchayat committee meeting.Vilappil Panchayat president Shobhana Kumari said that the emergency committee was called to devise plans to counter the allegations raised by the Corporation at its Council meeting the other day. Many councillors had alleged that there was a land mafia backing the agitation in Vilappilsala and that the panchayat president was playing into their hands."The Mayor should tender an apology to the people of Vilappil. We have decided to move court against the Corporation since it has filed a case against us,’’ Shobhana said.She added that the Corporation was making matters worse. "We are now adamant that whatever they do, we would not open the factory again,’’ she said.The panchayat repeated its stand at the meeting called by the Chief Minister late in the afternoon.Meanwhile, the Mayor has denied using any defamatory terms against the panchayat. The reference to the mafia was made by some members, and not by her, she said.The Corporation Council on Thursday had come out openly against the arrogant manner in which the plant was locked and the key taken away by the panchayat officials. The UDF members were more flared up than others and had firmly said that it was their land, and should be reclaimed.