The agitation has been continuing with a dharna since April 22 in front of the Coke factory in Plachimada, Kerala. On July 11, some members of the "Viplavavadi Streevadi Prasthanam" (Revolutionary Feminist Movement) held a protest against the Coke's scant regard to the problems they had generated through depletion of ground water and pollution of ground water. They had come from other parts of Kerala to express their solidarity withthe struggle. Eight women and three men (11 in all) were immediately arrested by the Police though the demonstration was peaceful. The Anti-Coca Cola Struggle Committee of the local inhabitants on the same day held a protest against the police action of arresting peaceful democratci protesters. Three leaders of the committee were arrested for this on the same day evening. The struggle especially the morale of the Adivasi women who are more active are high. There have been demonstrations elswhere in Palakkad city in support of the struggle. More agitations are expected from other parts of Kerala soon.

The Coke allegation that the Coke workers were assaulted are false. It may also be noted that the local inhabitants have refused the Coke attempts to supply water and prefer to trek a few kilometers for better water or wait for the tanker lorries of water supplied by the government. Nowhere have the protestors claimed that there are 600 borewells in the plant. All that is mentioned is that about 60 borewells were sunk inside the factory.

For the Anti Coca-Cola Struggle Committee:
C.R. Bijoy
Doctor's Quarters
Sri Ramakrishna Hospital
Coimbatore
Tamilnadu
India 641 044
Email:  rights@postmark.net