IDUKKI: The strike committee announced that they will hold a round-the-clock strike from tomorrow until Arikomban is captured. The strike on Cement Palam ended at six o’clock. The protest committee withdrew its decision to sit on the road after the police intervened.
Meanwhile, the hartal called by Janakeeya Samiti today in 10 panchayats of Devikulam and Udumbanchola taluks, protesting against the delay in arresting Arikompan, was complete. At various places, the protesters blocked the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway and the Cement Palam road. There was a minor clash between tourists and the protestors at Pooppara.Yesterday, the High Court had issued an interim order temporarily banning the capture of Arikomban. A five-member expert committee will examine whether there are any alternative solutions other than the capture of Arikomban. The High Court division bench has directed that the interests of the people and wildlife in the area should be considered and the opinions of the locals should be sought when the expert committee is preparing the report.