UDF announces one-day hunger strike over Centre's railway bifurcation move in Kerala
Here's the latest protest news from across India:
United Democratic Front (UDF) MPs from Kerala have revealed a day-long hunger strike on August 26 (Thiruvonam day) in front of the Palakkad divisional railway headquarters to protest the Railways’ move to bifurcate Mangaluru railway station from Palakkad division and merge it with Mysuru division of South Western Railway.
Adding to this, Kasaragod MP Rajmohan Unnithan shared people in his constituency would be the worst affected by the decision. (ANI) The Railway Board’s decision has triggered protests in Kerala, with a section of leaders and activists alleging that it will lead to revenue loss for the division and hinder future innovation and development projects.
Meanwhile, Mangaluru Junction, from where several prominent trains to Kerala originate and terminate, is near the Kerala-Karnataka border and is a key railway hub in the region.
Notably, Kasaragod MP Rajmohan Unnithan shared people in his constituency would be the worst affected by the decision.
As per the latest buzz, “We cannot accept this decision. We have sent an email to the Railway authorities in Delhi asking to reverse the decision. The hunger strike will be the first stage of the protest. If there is no result, we will stage a protest march in Delhi,” shared Unnithan.
In further updates, The Congress MP claimed that even the Union railway minister was unaware of the move.
On top of that, “Who issued this order without the knowledge of the Railway Minister and the officials of the Southern Railway in Chennai ?” he asked.
He shared the Palakkad division relies heavily on freight movement through Mangaluru port. “We are going to lose around ₹ 600 crore rupees through this,” he shared.
Source: Hindustan Times