Organisations gather in protest against 'Emerging Kerala’

KOCHI: “Emerging Kerala”, the three-day event meant to showcase the state to potential investors, ran into a wall of protest on the very day of its inauguration on Wednesday.

As the event was set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, numerous organisations gathered in strength to express their disapproval of a move that many fear could “submerge” Kerala.

The state expects to host guests from 52 countries over the next three days. Nearly 2,500 ambassadors and high commissioners, diplomats and CEOs are expected to congregate in Kochi during the event.

Even before the event could be inaugurated, people gathered with placards against the programme on the main streets of Kochi.

The police too made arrangements for the protestors, telling them that they could stage their protest at two different points, both about two km from the venue of the meetings. Police also told protestors that if they crossed a particular line, they would face arrest.