The indefinite satyagraha led by various organisations, under a joint action committee against the alleged neglect of the Calicut international airport was called off on Monday after the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted approval for strengthening and re-carpeting work of the airport.
The decision to end the agitation “for the time being” was announced by action committee leaders at a press meet at the agitation venue here on Monday evening.
The committee members, who received a copy of the “work approval” from the DGCA, maintained that the civil aviation authorities had also given a deadline of September 23 to start the work.
“The work can begin on any date before this and a final decision, however, has to be taken by the airport authorities locally,” said P. Gangadharan, chairman of the committee.
The committee members said they would restart the agitation with “increased vigour” if the authorities failed to start the re-carpeting works even after September 23. “It will be an indefinite huger strike with the support of the entire people of Malabar,” said Mr. Gangadharan.
The agitation under the aegis of the Calicut Chamber of Commerce and Industries and the Malabar Development Forum entered the eighth day on Monday and leaders of parties, cutting across political affiliations, had participated in the agitation and offered their support for the cause.
The agitation also assumed great importance as it brought together the region’s business community and traders as well as the non-resident Keralites on a platform. Speaking on the occasion, the Malabar Development Forum working chairman K.M. Basheer said the committee would monitor the progress of the work.
