CPI(M) in Ker to hold "fire chain" protest tomorrow

According to party leaders, nearly one million brick or stone hearths would be set up on the western sides of highways from Manjeswaram in the north to Parassala in the south, with thousands of men and women cooking food on them to highlight the plight of the common people.

"We plan to mobilise over 30 lakh people for the campaign through our 28,000 branch committees. An entire family will gather around each hearth and cook food," they said.

The issues being highlighted by the campaign include price rise and the drastic cut in subsidised LPG cylinders to households, which have dealt a severe blow to people, already reeling under impact of the grim price rise, they said.

The hearths would be lit after 4.30 PM when participants would assemble in their respective places with pots, water, rice and provisions to cook food to register their protest.

CPI(M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan and his family members would join the protest in the state capital, while party stalwart and state opposition leader V S Achuthanandan would address the gathering.

CPI(M) had in the past organised "human chain" and "human wall" campaigns on themes such as national integrity and secularism.