With a view to counter the stiff opposition for the Colachel Enayam commercial port project from the fishermen, the Colachel Enayam Port Project Awareness Movement urged the union government to implement the project as early as possible.
Over hundred members of the movement staged a day-long hunger strike. The strike was presided over by the movement’s coordinator, R. Godwin, in the presence of former MLA and TMC State Vice President D. Kumaradoss and inaugurated by former MLA and Janata Dal (I) Mohamed Ismail.
The leaders who spoke at the venue said that land for construction of the port would not be acquired, as it would be taken inside the sea and the land required for road and rail link for the project would only be acquired.
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They also clarified that no fishermen hamlet would be affected if the project was implemented. Alternate arrangements would be done for the local fishermen to undertake their fishing activities.
The port would be developed from Helen Nagar (barren lands) in Enayam to Kurumbanai (barren lands), the leaders said.
Former MLA and TMC District President S. John Jacob, former DMK MLA Pushpaleela Alben, DCC (East) President V. Palaiah, DMDK District Secretary D. Jegannathan BJP Minority Wing President J.M. Thambi Durai among others participated. Former Minister K. Lawrence addressed the valedictory session and ended the hunger strike.
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Permission denied
In the meantime, the district police had denied permission for a hunger strike by the fishermen opposing the project for the fifth day in Mel Midalam on Friday. Fishermen staged hunger strike consecutively for four days from Monday.