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UDF announces one-day hunger strike over Centre's railway bifurcation move in Kerala
UDF MPs from Kerala have announced a day-long hunger strike on August 26 in front of the Palakkad divisional railway headquarters.
United Democratic Front (UDF) MPs from Kerala have announced 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.
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.
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Congress MP warns of protest march in Delhi
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.
Kasaragod MP Rajmohan Unnithan said people in his constituency would be the worst affected by the decision.
“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,” said Unnithan.
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The Congress MP claimed that even the Union railway minister was unaware of the move.
“Who issued this order without the knowledge of the Railway Minister and the officials of the Southern Railway in Chennai?” he asked.
He said the Palakkad division relies heavily on freight movement through Mangaluru port. “We are going to lose around ₹600 crore through this,” he said.
He also pointed out that the decision would force MPs to contact two different railway divisions to raise issues concerning trains passing through Kerala’s Malabar region.
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State ministers and opposition leaders register protest
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal met Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to convey the state’s collective opposition to the move. The railway minister is learnt to have sought a report on the matter.
Palakkad MP VK Sreekandan said holding the protest on the main day of the Onam festival in front of the divisional office would draw maximum participation.
Chief Minister VD Satheesan has also written to the Union government opposing the move.
