UDF bats for Haj embarkation at Karipur airport

MALAPPURAM: The UDF district committee is intensifying its protest against the denial of Haj embarkation point to Calicut International Airport in Karipur. The UDF members of the assembly and parliament from Malappuram and Kozhikode districts will conduct a day-long protest in front of the airport at Karipur on Tuesday along with representatives of the local bodies. “The union government’s move is a planned one to clip the wings of Karipur Airport and this is very clear from the Centre’s list of embarkation points this year which include Airports that come below Karipur in terms of runway length and other facilities,” said K.N.A Khader, UDF convener and district general secretary of Muslim League.

As more than 80 per cent of the total Haj pilgrims are from Malabar region, Karipur is the most convenient embarkation point and it also has permanent facilities for the annual state Haj camp, said V.V Prakash, UDF chairman. Muslim League state president Sayid Hyderali Shihab Thangal will inaugurate the protest at Karipur airport on 8 am.