Saturday, March 26 2005 14:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Palakkad (Kearala): The multinational soft drink manufacturer Coca-Cola has expressed willingness to close down their bottling unit at Plachimada near Palakkad, according to information received by the Anti-Coca Cola Action Committee.

The committee received a communication in this regard from well-known environmentalist Tony Clarke, who held a meeting with company officials at Boston on March 3, Committee Chairman V Venugopal and Plachimada Solidarity Committee General Secretary R Ajayan told reporters in Palakkad yesterday (Mar 25, 2005). Ajayan demanded that Coca Cola pay compensation to the local people, who were affected due to excess drawing of groundwater by the company.

The action committee leaders also wanted the State Government to take steps to hold discussions with them and the company officials to decide on the quantum of compensation.

The local people have been on agitation path for the last three years against the alleged groundwater exploitation by the company's beverages plant at Plachimada.