Coconut climber protests from atop coconut tree before Assembly

Thiruvananthapuram: A coconut climber created a stir at the Kerala Assembly complex on Tuesday by climbing on to a coconut tree in the compound and shouting slogans from atop the tree.

A native of Kannur, T. Sudheer Kumar complained that he and others like him were not getting benefits from workers welfare fund. He shouted that coconut climbers should be recognised as skilled labourers.

The security did not intervene when the man started climbing the coconut tree in front of the Assembly hall thinking that he was a regular coconut climber engaged to plug the coconuts. They realised the mistake only when the man started shouting slogans.

The fire force and police were soon called in. However, the fire force was no able to bring him down. Later, the man came down on his own, and the museum police arrested him.

The incident took place as the House was transacting the day’s business after the Opposition had boycotted the sitting demanding resignation of Chief Minister. This brought the coconut climber much attention he was aiming at. The protest was part of a march being taken out by coconut climbers in the city.

This is the first time that somebody protests from a tree in the Assembly complex though several people have protested from galleries in the past. One such protest from the gallery took place during this session itself.