Kerala - Kollam   

Tsunami-affected block NH at Karunagapally

By Our Staff Reporter

KOLLAM, FEB. 10. More than 500 persons from Alapad who were affected by the December 26 tsunami, many of them women, today blocked the National Highway at Karunagapally Kannetti Bridge for more than three-and-a-half hours from 11 a.m.

The blockade, under the banner of Tsunami Affected People's Samithy, was to press for their 26-point charter of demands.

The blockade at the bridge was peaceful. But a similar blockade at Karunagapally junction turned violent, resulting in a police lathicharge following a complaint made by the High Court judge Shankaran. The judge made the complaint when the demonstrators blocked his official car and banged it several times before allowing the vehicle to proceed. The incident took place after the blockade at the bridge was withdrawn.

In a stone-throwing incident, two buses of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation were damaged and a police constable attached to the Kollam Armed Reserve Camp, Anil Andrew, was injured. The Kollam Superintendent of Police, S. Sreejith, said that 14 persons were arrested in connection with the incidents.

As the blockade at the bridge progressed, the women engaged themselves in cooking meals by the side of the bridge. The District Collector, B. Sreenivas, and Mr. Sreejith rushed to the scene and held discussions with the demonstrators.

Rs. 5-lakh relief

The demands raised by the demonstrators included a relief of Rs.5 lakhs to the family members of those killed by the tsunami, houses to be constructed at a cost of Rs.5 lakhs each, better health facilities and improved infrastructure at Alapad.

While the demonstrators refused to budge after prolonged talks, the Collector contacted the Minister for Fisheries, Dominic Presentation.

The Minister then agreed to hold talks with the representatives of the Samithy.

It was also agreed that the talks will be held at the Minister's chamber on February 14. Following the agreement, the blockade over the bridge was withdrawn.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous | Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Updates: Breaking News |

Stories in this Section

Three held for robbery; revolver, bullets seized
Tsunami-affected block NH at Karunagapally

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu