Kollam: The volunteers from all the 14 districts in the state joined hands at Alappad with a fistful of sand to declare solidarity with the 'Save Alappad, stop mining' campaign on the 100th day of the anti-mining protest on Friday.
The volunteers, who are members of the organisation ‘Flood Volunteers Family’ under the hashtag (#orupidimanal), deposited a fistful of sand brought from various districts in front of the relay hunger strike canopy at Alappad.
Koodamkulam protest leader S.P. Udayakumar, environmentalists C.R. Neelakandan and Vilayodi Venugopal joined 100 villagers who gathered at the venue. Differently-abled people from Alappuzha, who were partially paralysed, also joined the protest along with students from various schools across the State.
“The protest is gaining widespread support from all walks of life. On February 17, a state-level meeting will be organised by the solidarity committee to spread the message of the protest,” Alappad protest council convenor K.C. Sreekumar told DC.
Meanwhile, the government has announced steps to protect the Kattil Mekkathil temple near Alappad.
Industries Minister E.P. Jayarajan has directed the officials to construct groynes and sea walls along the mining areas near to the sea.
A committee chaired by the district collector has been formed to conduct a study on the issues at the mining sites and to submit a report, based on which further action will be taken. The government has urged the people to abandon the protest and to line up with it.
