Thiruvananthapuram | CPI in Kerala on Wednesday said the party would lead a strong mass agitation against the UDF government's reported decision to allow private-sector mining of the state's mineral sand resources and would cooperate with all like-minded groups to resist it.

CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam alleged that the government's move to open up mineral sand mining to private players would endanger the fragile coastal ecosystem and the livelihoods of coastal communities while benefiting private mining lobbies.

In a statement, the Left leader said it would cooperate with all like-minded groups, including veteran Congress leader V M Sudheeran, on the issue.

A former KPCC president, Sudheeran, recently expressed strong resentment in the reported privatisation move of the sand mining sector by the new state government.

Viswam also claimed that the proposal carried the risk of corruption and could raise concerns related to national security.

The CPI leader said Kerala's development achievements were built on public investments in welfare sectors such as health and education and accused the UDF government of attempting to facilitate the privatisation of public resources through its white paper and budget proposals.

According to him, the state's long-standing policy had been to undertake regulated mineral sand mining through public sector entities such as KMML and IREL. The UDF government's departure from that approach would face strong resistance from democratic forces, he said.

Viswam recalled the historic protests led by fishermen and environmental activists against mineral sand mining in coastal areas of Alappuzha and Kollam, including Thottappally, Arattupuzha and Thrikkunnappuzha.

"If the government believes that the spirit of those struggles has faded, the coming days will prove otherwise," he said.

He further announced that the CPI would organise a mass convention in Alappuzha during the third week of July as part of its campaign against private mineral sand mining.