Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Fishworkers oppose joint naval exercise

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Swathantra Matsya Thozhilaly Federation (KSMTF) has protested against over the proposed joint naval exercise between India and the U.S. in the coastal waters of Kerala.

The move initiated by the two governments known as ‘Malabar Exercise,’ to be held in October would surrender the interests of not just the fishing community, but also the entire country, KSMTF state president T. Peter said in a press note on Sunday.

The agenda to include American nuclear ships in this exercise is a major concern, it said. “The proposed nuclear deal between India and U.S. will lead to the establishment of more nuclear plants in the coastal area. Already, the Kalpakkam plant has exposed the fishing community to health hazards like cancer, skin problems and pregnancy disorders. It has led to a decline in fish stocks in the area,” the note said.

“The problems caused by nuclear plants do not impact the fishing community alone. By exposing fish stocks to radiation, they could threaten the life of the common man who depends on fish as an affordable source of protein”.

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