Mon Apr 21 18:19:28 UTC 2025: ## Kerala Minister Accuses Opposition of Conspiracy Amidst Muthalapozhi Fishing Dispute
**Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala –** Kerala Labour Minister V. Sivankutty on Monday accused the opposition of deliberately creating conflict in the fishing village of Muthalapozhi, where fishermen have been protesting for days over a sandbar blocking the estuary. He claims there’s a conspiracy to mislead fishermen regarding the government’s efforts to remove the sand, a project approved as part of a ₹177 crore port development plan.
The minister stated that the sand removal is underway, with a larger dredger expected by Thursday. He emphasized the urgency of the sandbar’s removal to prevent flooding in nearby low-lying areas and to allow for the commencement of the port development project. He dismissed an opposition protest march as “utter nonsense.”
However, fishermen blocked the government’s attempt to cut the sandbar on Thursday. They argue that the sand accumulation and ineffective dredging have severely hampered their fishing activities, impacting their livelihoods and creating hazardous conditions at sea. Muthalapozhi, situated at the confluence of the Vamanapuram River, Kadinamkulam Lake, and the Arabian Sea, has a history of fishing boat accidents. The fishermen’s protest highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the community, despite the recently approved port development plan.
First Piper 