THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The strike called by the local people against the Vizhinjam seaport project was withdrawn on Friday evening following various assurances made by the district administration regarding the compensation and rehabilitation package.
The strike had brought construction activities at the port site to a standstill for ten consecutive days resulting in a huge financial loss for the contractor, Adani Group.
Earlier in the day, representatives of the demonstrators met the District Collector K Vasuki where assurances were given that a permanent monitoring committee will be set up to examine the grievances of the residents concerning the project. Also, the district administration promised steps to finalise decisions regarding the disbursal of ‘livelihood compensation’ to the fishermen by November 30. A survey will be completed within ten days to examine whether more job opportunities can be provided in the Rs 7,525 crore port project for the local people.
“The discussions were fruitful,” Kovalam MLA M Vincent said after the meeting. By 5 pm, the agitation was called off. “We are temporarily calling off the agitation in view of the assurances made by the government and the district administration,” secretary of the committee formed by the Latin church Esac Johnny said. “The district administration has assured us that the list of ‘Kattamaram’ fishermen and shore seine (Karamadi) fishermen who are yet to receive the compensation will be finalised by November 30. 198 of the latter group remain to be compensated,” he said.
A team led by the District Collector will visit the houses near the project site to look into the complaints regarding the damage caused by the drilling of piles for the project. The local people had stalled work at Mulloor-Vizhinjam on October 24 alleging the government had betrayed them with regard to adequate compensation and rehabilitation measures.
On October 25, it was tentatively decided the collector will meet the demonstrators on October 30 and the church committee had even announced that the strike was being called off. But under pressure from one section, which refused to stop the strike, the committee had revoked its earlier decision. The October 30 meeting did not take place since the district administration wanted the strike to be called off first. On Friday, the meeting was made possible after the administration scaled down its demand. The Adani Group had been in constant touch with the government to ensure a quick end to the strike.