Coastal Hartal: Fishermen Protest Offshore Mining in Kerala

Fishermen unions in Kerala protest against the central government's decision to allow offshore mining by organizing a coastal hartal. The strike disrupts fishing activities from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram, gaining support from major political parties. A Parliament march is planned as part of ongoing protests.

Kerala's fishermen took a bold stand against the central government's recent move to permit offshore mining along the state's coast. The Kerala Fisheries Coordination Committee has initiated a coastal hartal, disrupting fishing activities from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram.

By boycotting daily fishing activities, unions are drawing attention to the auctioning of sand blocks for mining in five critical sectors: Kollam South, Kollam North, Alappuzha, Ponnani, and Chavakkad. This action has significantly impacted operations at fishing ports, fish landing centers, and markets.

The protest has garnered cross-party political support, with both the ruling CPI(M) and the opposition Congress backing the hartal. As tensions rise, a Parliament march on March 12 is on the horizon, hoping to bring the concerns of these coastal communities directly to decision-makers.

(With inputs from agencies.)