Kanjikode (Kerala), Jan 14 : Hundreds of residents of Kanjikode village in Kerala staged a protest against a proposed rail coach factory by acquiring their lands.

The agitated villagers also warned the State Government of Kerala and the Central Government that they would organise a massive protest and even commit suicide on the day when the authorities intend to lay the foundation stone for this factory.

Earlier, a technical team of Railway had inspected the proposed site and granted its green signal.

Further, the Railway Board has also approved the proposed rail coach factory spread over 900 acres near the Gramalakshmi Mudralayam in Kanjikode.

However, the land acquisition became problematic in the face of stiff opposition from the villagers.

The villagers have accused the State Government of neglecting them.

"There are around 450 houses and in that more than 700 families reside. But as per the government''s survey, there are only 40 houses, which is a wrong report. There has been no response till date regarding the complaints made by the action committee. No discussions on rehabilitation have been done with the villagers. Even the Chief Minister visited the place and announced that only 40 families have to be relocated," said C. Krishnan, President, Action Committee against Coach Factory, Kuddiorzphu.

Meanwhile, the agitating villagers are being supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party.

"There is enough land lying nearby for the coach factory which is uninhabited and instead of acquiring that land, the land of the poor is being taken which is not correct. It is learnt that few people of CPM close to Achuthanandan have land here. If it happens then this can turn out to be another Singur model of acquisition. We will protest against it," said C K Padmanabhan, BJP leader, Kerala.

Despite this agitation, the Central Government under which the Railways function has decided to acquire land under the fast track process so that work could begin at the site.

Railway Minister Lalu Prasad is expected to lay the foundation stone of the factory later in January. (ANI)