Lakhs take part in LDF's 'human chain' against note ban

Thiruvananthapuram: Lakhs of men and women Thursday took part in a 'human chain' protest organised by ruling CPI(M)-led LDF in Kerala to protest the Narendra Modi government's demonetisation drive while the BJP state president is on a 24-hour fast against the state government's 'anti-people' policies.

The Human chain, which was led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, veteran CPI-M leader V S Achuthanandan and state CPI-M secretary, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and CPI secretary, Kanam Rajendran began in front of the Raj Bhavan at 5 pm.

The chief minister and his cabinet colleagues had earlier sat on dharna in front of the RBI's Regional office here on November 18 to protest the BJP government's move to scrap Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes on November 8, which had plunged the cooperative sector into a serious crisis.

The state assembly had also passed a resolution against the Centre's decision on demonetisation.

Balakrishnan claimed that 10 lakh people became part of the 700 km link that was formed from Raj Bhavan here to Kasaragod, the northernmost tip of kerala.

Vijayan said it was an unilateral decision taken by Modi and slammed RSS and BJP for targeting those who opposed demonetisation.

State Ministers and party leaders formed part of the human chain in different places.

LDF has alleged that demonetisation was brought in with a political motive without any preparation and that Centre was trying to destroy the co-operative sector under its cover.

Meanwhile, BJP also chose today to register their protest against the state government.

BJP state president Kummanam Rajashekaran began a 24-hour fast in front of the Secretariat demanding, among other things, restoration of distribution of subsidised food grains and rice through ration shops and to end "increasing incidents of violence" against Dalits.

BJP national spokesman and former chairman of National Commission for SC/ST Bizay Sonkar Shastri inaugurated the fast.