Kerala: CPM protests Air India's 'mistreatment'

Thiruvananthapuram: The CPM on Friday held protest marches to all the three international airports in Kerala over the alleged "mistreatment" -- like frequent flight cancellations and withdrawal -- meted out to the state by national carrier Air India. While the march towards the airport here was led by CPM secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, former chief minister V.S. Achuthanandan led the protesters at the Kochi Airport and party politburo member Kodiyeri Balakrishnan took the lead at the Kozhikode airport.

"It's the central government which is behind the bad treatment of our people by Air India. They maintain a stoic silence on everything the national carrier does. Till date, they (central government) have done nothing to address the genuine needs of our people. And not to mention our ministers (in Delhi)... They are only worried about creating wealth through dubious means using their office," Achuthanandan said.

The Kerala cabinet on Sep 12 submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh highlighting the issues faced by passengers due to frequent flight cancellations and flight withdrawal by Air India. The national carrier last week unceremoniously withdrew a flight from here at the last minute, leaving over hundred passengers grounded. "It has been going on for ages. We are given a step-motherly treatment when it comes to the aviation needs of our state. The sad thing is that the fare for the Middle East has been jacked up and our people have to save at least six month's salary for homeward journey," said Vijayan.

CPM held protest marches to all the three international airports in Kerala over the alleged \'mistreatment\'.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist protest comes two days after Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and his cabinet colleagues gave a dressing down to the top officials of Air India here and handed over a letter to be forwarded to the national carrier's management.

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