THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that there are narrow interests behind the steps taken by the administrator in Lakshadweep. The Chief Minister said that this was totally reprehensible and asked those concerned to back off from these steps.

"The news from Lakshadweep is very serious. The present situation is challenging the culture and life of its people. Such moves are by no means acceptable. Lakshadweep has a long association with Kerala. At one point they were part of our state. The people of Lakshadweep come to Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam for treatment and so on. There are many students from Lakshadweep all over Kerala. The islanders and we are moving forward through mutual cooperation. As per the news, attempts are being made to destroy this. The new moves are totally reprehensible. The state's opinion is that those concerned should refrain from such moves," the CM said.