Lakshadweep Administrator must be recalled immediately

We demand the withdrawal of the island Administrator's decision to shift travel and cargo transport to Lakshadweep entirely from Beypore port to Mangalore port. The Administrator's aim is to break all the ties the people of Lakshadweep have with Kerala. This step came after Praful Khoda Patel took charge as Administrator.

Most of the food, building materials and other goods for Lakshadweep are shipped through Beypore port, where more than three hundred workers depend on this work. We have learnt that cargo from Kochi port is also being shifted to Mangalore. All the workers who have done this work for years will lose their jobs. Many students from Lakshadweep study in and around Kozhikode. The islanders depend on hospitals in Kerala for treatment, and have marriage ties in Kozhikode, Kannur and Malappuram districts. The Administrator's action in cutting off Lakshadweep, which has had strong ties with Kerala for so many years, from Kerala deserves protest.

We ask the Prime Minister to recall Lakshadweep Administrator Praful Khoda Patel immediately. Strong agitations will be organised to protect the people of Lakshadweep and Beypore port.

Elamaram Kareem (CITU)
R Chandrasekharan (INTUC)
K P Rajendran (AITUC)
Adv. Rahmathulla (STU)