THRISSUR: The banana harvested by the anti-K rail protest committee has fetched Rs 60,250 at the auction. The banana obtained from Babu's backyard, a resident of Thrissur, was auctioned for Rs 60,250. K Rail passes through Babu's backyard. Palaikkal resident KV Preman bought the bunch.

Bananas were planted in different parts of the state on the occasion of Environment Day. The auction money will be handed over to the housing fund of Thankamma, a widow from Chengannur Mulakuzha. Earlier controversy erupted when K Rail officials and the police installed a survey stone inside her kitchen.

The protest committee planted 99 bananas on the last Environment Day, equal to the number of LDF MLAs in the state. It was these bananas that were harvested. A protest march was also held the previous day.

Avinissery Panchayat President Hari C Narendran inaugurated the harvesting and auction of the anti-K rail strike held at Palakal. Vice President Geetha Sukumaran, Kusumam Joseph, V.I. Johnson, Dr. P.S. Babu and V.S. Girisan also participated. People from different parts of the district participated in the auction. The auction was conducted in such a way that immediately after the bidding was called, the amount was deposited in a specially placed box.