The union and state governments should allay the fears in the minds of the fishermen before establishing the much-awaited Colachel Commercial Port in Kanykumari district, said K.K.S.M. Thehlan Baqvi, State President of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) here on Saturday.
Addressing reporters before beginning his 15-day State-wide campaign ‘Makkalai Santhippom’ from Kaliyakkavilai in Kanyakumari district to Chennai pressing their five-point charter of demands, Mr. Baqvi said the need of the hour is to allay the fears in the minds of the fishermen before implementing the Colachel Commercial Port project in the district.
Keeping in mind the abundant production of rubber in the western part of the district, the party urged the Centre to establish a rubber park in Kanyakumari district.
REpair roads
He also appealed to the authorities to repair the damaged roads in the district on a war footing, as it is a nightmare for the road users to travel on the rain battered roads, he said.
Demands
According to Mr. Baqvi, the other demands include increase reservation for Muslims in employment and education to 7 per cent from 3.5 per cent, safeguarding waterbodies from encroachers, implement total prohibition in the State, retrieving ‘Katchatheevu’ to safeguard the livelihood of Indian fishermen and condemning the anti-people policies of the National Democratic Alliance government headed by the BJP at the Centre, Mr. Baqvi said.
