Kerala Labor Minister V. Sivankutty on Monday accused opposition to conspiracy, intentionally causing conflict in a small fishing village in Muthalapozhi.
Coastal villages have been witnessing protests over the past few days, with fishermen and trade unions demanding solutions to the estuary caused by sand accumulation.
Mr Sivankutty said in a statement there were plans to mislead fishermen. He said the decision to remove sand at a recent ministerial meeting was made at a recent ministerial meeting. He said the decision was to avoid the accumulation of sand that prevented fishing.
He claimed: “The opposition had a conspiracy related to fishing in Muthalapozhi. Planned actions mislead fishermen.”
Mr Sivankutty refers to the Youth Assembly’s announcement that it would march to protest to the office of Chirayinkehu CPI legislator V. Sasi, who said the move was “complete nonsense”.
He said the use of currently available eavesdroppers and Earth movers had been removed there, and he said the large dredger from Kannur would reach the site by sea by Thursday.
Flood risk
He said that without Chesabah, there could be flooding in four to five panchayats below sea level. “So, it is necessary to cut the sandbars immediately, opposing this is against it,” Mr Sivankutty said.
He said the union government has approved the port development project of Rs 17.7 billion, adding that relevant bidding procedures are underway.
Mr Sivankutty also said the beginning of these developments was essential.
Fishermen protest
Local fishermen in Muthalapozhi on Thursday blocked the Kerala government’s move to cut down sandbanks that currently hinder the estuary of the port, an interim solution to the problems faced by residents.
According to protest fishermen, the accumulation of beaches and ineffective dredging in the mouth of the harbor made fishing difficult, causing many to lose their livelihoods.
The danger to fishermen in the area becomes dangerous after returning at sea and returning. Muthalapozhi has been making news recently and in the past due to multiple fishing boat accidents.
Muthalapozhi is located in Perumathura, where the Vamanapuram River and Kadinamkulam Lake meet the Arabian Sea.
The Centre recently approved the long-awaited integrated fishing port development plan.
publishing – April 21, 2025 at 11:49 pm IST
