Thousands of women from the hilly regions of Kozhikode district held a ‘Lamentation Rally’ in Kozhikode on Saturday in support of the indefinite hunger strike organised by the Western Ghats People Protection Committee at the Collectorate. The rally in protest against the Gadgil and Kasturirangan reports was inaugurated by Bishop of Kozhikode Varghese Chakkalakkal. Chairman of the Samithi Antony Kozhuvanal presided over the function. Government Chief Whip P. C. George, former MP, Francis George and MLA, A. K. Saseendran were present expressing their solidarity with the agitation.
The women from the nine villages that have been declared ecologically fragile had taken part in the rally that began near the Passport Office in Eranhipalam and concluded at the Collectorate. They carried black flags and placards demanding justice.
It was on last Wednesday that the Samithi started its indefinite hunger strike alleging that Madhav Gadgil’s and K.Kasturirangan’s reports on protection of Western Ghats were unscientific, unrealistic and anti-people.
