Kollam: Landowners at Kottiyam in the district intensified their opposition to acquiring their property for K-Rail's SilverLine project, saying they would not vacate even if they are offered crores of rupees as compensation.
They alleged that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was not meeting those who would lose their land, and added that they would reject the compensation package.
Residents in the area had earlier threatened to commit suicide if the government went ahead with its plan to acquire their land.
Standing firm against the acquisition move, a landowner termed the package eyewash.
"Several people who had earlier handed over their property for government projects have been hoodwinked. The package is a farce. We are not satisfied with any package. Our stand is that the government should drop the (SilverLine) project. They should talk to the victims, not prominent persons. There is no point in talking to prominent persons," he said.
A housewife said only those who would lose their dwelling would realise the pain. "Political leaders have more than one house, including in foreign countries. They won't understand our pain. Don't throw us out on the street. If the government feels development is more important, they can kill us before taking away our land," she added.
The local residents said several people who had been working for the CPM for years, too, have joined the movement against the acquisition.
