KOCHI: Ending five days of uncertainty for the passengers to the Lakshadweep islands, ships and barges would sail immediately, said Lakshadweep Collector in an order on Thursday.
The decision followed a couple of rounds of all-party meetings involving the striking Seamen Association of LDCL and supporting unions.
The order issued by Collector-cum- Development Commissioner N Vasanthakumar said an inquiry would be ordered into the incident that took place on January 8 and that the LDCL official concerned would tender an apology in person. The Marine Superintendent concerned would be asked to go on forced leave till completion of the inquiry with immediate effect, the order further pointed out.
The protesting unions and passengers had earlier set a deadline for the Lakshadweep Development Corporation and the administration to accept the demands of the agitators.
On Thursday, the agitators organised a dharna in front of the offices of the administration and LDCL. After discussions with top officials, 1 p.m. on Friday had been set as a deadline for LDCL to accept the demands.
“Over 3,000 passengers are stranded in the city following the strike. We have demanded that the passengers’ fare should be reimbursed. We have also demanded that some officials with LDCL, who are responsible for the issue, should be terminated.
"If the administration fails to take a proper decision, we will launch the second phase of strike,” the agitators said.
With the Lakshadweep Seamen Welfare Association (LSWA) and the Forward Seamen Union of India (FSUI) going on strike, the operation of all island ships had been affected. The Lakshadweep Students Association, the Lakshadweep Passengers Association and the representatives of political parties had been supporting the strike.
The strike had affected daily life in almost all islands in Lakshadweep.
Owing to diesel shortage, power supply has been disrupted at Androth and Kadmat islands. Similarly there has been a shortage of vegetables and other provisions in all islands.
Without ship and boat services, the 11 islands in Lakshadweep are in an isolated state without any means of travelling.
The officials of the administration are using helicopters to travel within the chain of islands.
The agitators had decided to stop the helicopters if the strike continued on Friday.