Government closely studying Pakistan tunnel construction: Antony

Defence Minister A K Antony said that construction of tunnels by Pakistan on the Indo-Pak border is being closely watched by the government.

Talking to the reporters on the sidelines of the function held here to announce the five-day coir technology expo to be held in Kochi, Antony said that the Defence Ministry is conducting more investigations about the tunnel and hence he cannot reveal much.

Speaking about the ongoing CPM’s agitation to protest against P Jayarajan’s arrest, he said that it the CPM should immediately distance itself from violence. The people in the state irrespective of their political affiliation abhor violence. It is unfortunate that CPM, the main opposition party, is behind many recent acts of violence.

Antony urged the CPM leadership to undertake an introspection as to the role of the party in the violence. ‘’The CPM should take a lead role to end political violence in the state,’’ he said.

‘Modernise traditional industries'

Antony said that unemployment in the state can only be tackled by modernising traditional industries.

Inaugurating the function to announce the  International coir technology expo 2012 to be held in Kochi from August 12-15, he said that traditional coir industry should be rejuvenated by timely modernisation. The design and marketing of the coir products should be modernised so that it could suit the evolving tastes of global consumers.  The State Government, MPs, the respective minister and Coir Board should conduct talks and prepare a plan to resolve THE crisis  the coir sector.

‘’The Central government will provide all necessary help,’’ he said.

KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala, in his presidential address, said that steep fall in the price of coconut has put coconut farmers in a serious crisis.

Efforts must be made to secure a space for coir products in the international market. Otherwise the place of coir products would be taken away by jute and rubber, he felt.

Health Minister V S Sivakumar, Shashi Tharoor MP, Coir Board chairman G Balachandran and secretary M Kumara Raja also spoke.