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Kerala MPs announce hunger strike over Centre's railway bifurcation move

From Hindustan Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • UDF MPs from Kerala will stage a one-day hunger strike on August 26 to protest the bifurcation of the Mangaluru railway station from the Palakkad division.
  • Protesters allege the move will cause revenue loss and hinder development, with Kasaragod MP Rajmohan Unnithan stating his constituency will be most affected.
  • The UDF plans a protest march in Delhi if their demands are not met, with leaders questioning the Railway Minister's awareness of the decision.

Members of Parliament from Kerala's United Democratic Front (UDF) announced a day-long hunger strike on August 26, coinciding with the Thiruvonam festival. The protest will take place in front of the Palakkad divisional railway headquarters. They are demonstrating against the Railways' decision to bifurcate the Mangaluru railway station from the Palakkad division and merge it with the Mysuru division of the South Western Railway.

Activists and political leaders in Kerala have voiced strong opposition, arguing the move will lead to significant revenue loss for the Palakkad division and impede future development projects. Kasaragod MP Rajmohan Unnithan emphasized that residents in his constituency will bear the brunt of this decision. "We cannot accept this decision," Unnithan stated, adding that an email has been sent to railway authorities in Delhi seeking a reversal. He warned that a protest march in Delhi would follow if the hunger strike yields no results.

We cannot accept this decision.

— Rajmohan UnnithanKasaragod MP Rajmohan Unnithan expressing the UDF's stance on the railway bifurcation.

Unnithan also raised concerns about the decision-making process, suggesting the Union Railway Minister might have been 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 questioned. He highlighted the Palakkad division's reliance on freight movement through Mangaluru port, estimating a potential loss of around ₹600 crore. The bifurcation would also complicate matters for MPs representing Kerala's Malabar region, forcing them to liaise with two different railway divisions.

Kerala's Chief Minister VD Satheesan has formally written to the Union government to express opposition. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal met with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to convey the state's collective dissent. The Railway Minister is reportedly seeking a report on the matter. Palakkad MP VK Sreekandan believes holding the protest on Onam will maximize participation.

Who issued this order without the knowledge of the Railway Minister and the officials of the Southern Railway in Chennai?

— Rajmohan UnnithanKasaragod MP Rajmohan Unnithan questioning the authority behind the railway bifurcation decision.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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