Coastal community demands proper rehabilitation package

THIRUVANANTHPURAM: Representatives of coastal community in the district on Thursday urged the state government to allay fears related to Vizhinjam Seaport Project and announce a comprehensive package for the rehabilitation of people who would lose their means of livelihood and houses.

The demand was raised at a march and protest dharna organised by the Latin Catholic Archdiocese in front of the secretariat. Thiruvananthapuram Latin Catholic Archbishop M. Soosa Pakiam said the government had set aside only a small amount for coastal community which would lose roofs over their heads and occupation.

“None should think that coastal population can be fooled by offering such pittance. Since the coastal people would suffer the most because of the project, we will withdraw the agitation only if government came out with a comprehensive rehabilitation package,” he said.

Right from the project’s formulation stage the coastal community had taken up issues of rehabilitation with the government but the latter failed to listen to their concerns.

“If the government believes that it can go ahead with the project in this manner then it would face stiff resistance from us. The government’s attitude of turning a blind to our concerns are highly deplorable,” he said.

“When such protests are held, there is an attempt to brand us anti-development and even anti-national. Let me make it clear that the coastal community is not against Vizhinjam Seaport Project.  But we expect the government to give top priority to our livelihood land  and rehabilitation concerns,” the Archbishop said.

DCC president Karakulam Krishna Pillai told the gathering that the chief minister had deputed him to assure on his behalf, that the government take all steps to allay fears of coastal community. CPM district secretary Kadkampally Surendran assured all support to the agitation on behalf of LDF.