Vizhinjam protest: strike committee raises new demands; not possible, states government

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The strike committee has raised new demands putting the government's consensus moves in the Vizhinjam protest into crisis. In an informal discussion conducted by Fisheries Minister Abdurahiman on Friday, Eugene Pereira, Vicar General of the Latin Archdiocese and general convener of the strike committee, demanded that the fishermen families who lost their homes and are in relief camps should be given compensation similar to the national highway development and that they should be given three cents of land each.

The minister replied that this is not possible and suggested to write down the demands. The minister informed that this can be submitted to the Chief Minister.

The new demand of the committee comes at a time when construction of flats is about to start on eight acres of land acquired from the Animal Husbandry Department. After five discussions held by the cabinet sub-committee failed, the government held an unofficial discussion. It is indicated that the government is in a stance to take further action as per the directive of the High Court as the possibility of a consensus has closed.

The state intelligence has also started collecting information regarding receiving foreign funds to some organisations supporting the protests. Earlier IB has collected details in this regard.

A long march to the Secretariat will be held tomorrow by the supporters of the Vizhinjam port in the project area. It will start from Vizhinjam. Various cultural and community organizations will join this march from various centres.