PROCESSION; NAMBOODIRIPAD; BANNERS AND PLACARDS.




Initials GEM/VS/JH/BB



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: MORE THAN 20,000 PEOPLE MARCHED IN A PROCESSION ORGANISED BY OPPOSITION PARTIES ON FRIDAY (23 SEPTEMBER) PAST A BUILDING IN COCHIN, IN THE SOUTH OF INDIA, WHERE MRS. GANDHI, THE PRIME MINISTER, AND OTHER LEADERS OF THE RULING CONGRESS PARTY WERE IN CONFERENCE. THE DEMONSTRATORS WERE DEMANDING THAT A SHIPYARD BE BUILT IN COCHIN.

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SHIPYARD HAS BECOME A MAJOR ISSUE IN THE ANCIENT PORT TOWN, AND COMMUNIST ORGANISATIONS HAVE JOINED OTHER OPPOSITION GROUPS IN SUPPORTING THE DEMANDS.

THE FORMER COMMUNIST CHIEF MINISTER OF KERALA, MR. E. NAMBOODIRIPAD, WHO WAS DISMISSED BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT IN 1959, WAS ONE OF THE LEADERS OF THE PROCESSION.

MRS. GANDHI, WHO HAS EARLIER IN THE DAY INAUGURATED A NEW REFINERY, SAID THAT A DECISION ON THE SHIPYARD HAD BEEN TAKEN IN 1959, AND A JAPANESE COMPANY HAD SUBMITTED A REPORT WHICH WAS NOW BEING CONSIDERED. SHE ADDED THAT FUNDS HAD BEEN ALLOCATED FOR THE PROJECT IN THE NEW FIVE YEAR PLAN.