String of protests to 'expose' state, Union govts

THE UNITED Democratic Front (UDF) will conduct a series of protests against both the central and state governments, to address the various livelihood concerns of the common people and focus on issues and challenges faced by coastal and high-range communities, and ongoing political matters like the protest by ASHA workers.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Kochi

The string of agitations will begin with a hunger strike in front of the Secretariat on March 5, to protest against the increase in murders and drug proliferation in the state, a high-level meeting of the opposition front held in Kochi on Thursday has decided.

This will be followed by day-and-night protests in front of all local self-government institutions on March 13, against the reduction in SC, ST, and minority welfare funds. Forest office marches on April 10 will be conducted in high-range districts, with the participation of farmers, while a nine-day coastal protest march led by Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan will take place from April 21-30, covering the route from Nellikunnu in Kasaragod to Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram.