Coconut tree climber creates flutter in Ker assembly complex

A 50-year-old man today created a flutter in the state assembly complex after he perched atop a coconut tree, to press for his group's demands, including considering tree climbing as 'skilled work', when the session was on.
The man, identified as coconut tree climber T Sudheer Kumar, entered the complex after he managed to give the slip to security personnel and climbed on top of a coconut tree located at the main entrance.
The incident put the security personnel and staff members attached to the assembly in a tizzy for about two hours till afternoon.
The drama ended after he came down on the request of his leaders who met Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and got an assurance that their demands would be considered favourably.

Fire Force personnel, who rushed to the spot, were ready with ladders and a cushion bed to face any eventuality.
When onlookers asked him to come down, Sudheer raised slogans by sitting on top of the tree and said he would come down only if the outfit's demands were met.
"Treat coconut climbing as a 'skilled work', announce a welfare scheme for coconut tree climbers and pension to those above 55 years," were some of the demands Sudheer made on behalf of the Cocout Tree Climbing Workers Union.
The Union had also held an assembly march today as part of their agitation in support of their demands.