THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thousands of people joined hands to form a human chain from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasargod on Thursday to protest against BJP-led Central government's demonetisation decision.
The human chain sounded a warning against the weakening of cooperative sector and the problems being faced by people because of shortage of currency notes. The starting point of the human chain, which began at 5 pm, from Raj Bhavan ended at Kasargod where revenue minister E. Chandrashekharan led the final link.
Inaugurating the event, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the massive participation in the human chain indicated the huge resentment prevailing among the people. By demonetising the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken a decision that no sane person would take.
"Mr Modi and company took the decision without considering its dire consequences," he said. He said the prime minister was not even prepared to express regret for the miseries caused to the people or acknowledge the problems being faced by the poor.
Veteran leader V.S. Achuthanandan said the people who were now standing in long queues outside ATMs and banks would give Mr Modi a befitting reply in the next elections. He said the Prime Minster had been going around and saying that if the problem remains unresolved within 50 days, the people could punish him.
Mr Achuthanandan said Mr Modi always say he sacrificed his family to work for the nation. "In reality, it's the family members who were saved because of his so called sacrifice," he quipped.
The human chain was 700 km. People from Pathanamthitta and Kottayam joined the chain at various centres in Alappuzha district. Separate chains were formed at six centres in Wayanad covering 25 km and 15 centres in Idukki covering 40 km. At each centre, prominent leaders, eminent personalities from the art and cultural fields read out the pledge.
