The venue of protest against the shipbreaking unit of the Steel
Industries Kerala Ltd (SILK) at Azhikkal witnessed tense scenes on Monday,
following a ruckus between police and activists of the Kappalpoli Virudha
Samithi (Committee against Ship-breaking).
The police arrested 26 activists, including Samithi leader M K
Manoharan and convener M Shajahan, who were later released on bail.
Hundreds of traditional fishermen, fish merchants and boat crew joined
the sea strike called by the Araya Samajam, Fishermen Health Protection Council,
Azhikkal Boat Owners Association, Vallakkar Samrakshana Samithi (an
organisation of traditional fishermen) and All-Kerala Fish Merchants Union.
Around 8 am, the protesters moved in country boats and laid siege to
the vessels brought for dismantling and asked the workers there to cooperate
with the stir.
“We spoke to the migrant workers from Gujarat in their language
specifying the occupational hazards and they agreed to stop the work. We also
asked them to ensure safety precautions if they were forced to continue the
job,” M K Manoharan said.
The agitators who later laid siege to the entrance to SILK were
arrested by the Valapattanam police.
Meanwhile, an all-party delegation comprising leaders of the CPM,
Congress, Indian Union Muslim League and
the BJP held talks with the SILK management. The area witnessed tense scenes as
protesters wanted the party leaders to reveal the details of the talks which
they allegedly refused to divulge.
The protest venue also witnessed heated arguments between the police
and the activists. Various environmental organisations like GreensGa and Civil
Rights Protection Council also extended support to the stir on Monday.
Dr D Surendranath, N Prabhakaran, Karingalkuzhi Krishnan, Devadas
Talap and others addressed the protesters.
Source: new Indian express. 13 may
2014
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