Kochi, Feb 27: The coastal hartal called by fishermen unions under the Kerala Fisheries Coordination Committee began at midnight on Wednesday, significantly impacting fishing activities across the state's coastline. The protest is against the central government's decision to permit offshore mining along Kerala's coast.
As part of the agitation, fishermen have boycotted fishing operations, leading to disruptions at major fishing ports, fish landing centres, and markets from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram. The hartal will continue until Thursday midnight, union leaders confirmed.
The Kerala Fisheries Coordination Committee, comprising various trade unions from the fisheries sector, has received backing from major political parties, including the ruling CPI(M) and the opposition Congress.
Committee leaders stated that the central government has proposed auctioning sand blocks for offshore mining in five key sectors—Kollam South, Kollam North, Alappuzha, Ponnani, and Chavakkad.
The protest movement gained momentum with an agitation declaration conference held in Kollam on February 17, and further demonstrations are planned, including a Parliament march scheduled for March 12.