Alappuzha (Kerala) | Fishermen unions, under the banner of the Kerala Fisheries Coordination Committee, have called for a hartal on February 27 to protest the central government's decision to conduct offshore mining along the state's coast.
Addressing the media after a meeting on Friday, committee chairperson and Congress leader T N Prathapan said that all fishermen and fish distributors from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram would fully support and participate in the hartal.
All fish markets across the state would also remain closed on the day of the hartal, he added.
"The central government has invited tenders to conduct offshore sand mining and the mining would severely affect the fisheries sector and the marine ecosystem," former Thrissur MP said.
The coordination committee leaders, including General Convenor and CPI(M) MLA P P Chitharanjan, stated that sea mining would not be allowed under any circumstances.
According to the committee leaders, the Centre has decided to auction sand blocks for offshore mining in five sectors—Kollam South, Kollam North, Alappuzha, Ponnani, and Chavakkad.
The meeting demanded that the union government revoke its decision and urged the Kerala Legislative Assembly to pass a resolution opposing offshore sand mining.
As part of the protest, an agitation declaration conference will be held in Kollam on February 17, followed by a Parliament march on March 5, the leaders said.
