Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said that the incident where the houseboat of Nobel laureate being blocked by protesters in Alappuzha was condemnable.

Stating that it was an isolated incident, the minister added that an investigation will be held following which stringent action will be taken.

“There are over 1,800 houseboats in Alappuzha. It is learned that all the houseboats booked were operated as usual. The houseboat from Kumarakom was stopped by several people. Anti-social elements from the area are behind this. Michael Levitt was in Kerala as a guest of the state government. It will be examined if there were any lapses in security arranged for the Nobel laureate,” Kadakampally Surendran said.

“Tourism industry was excluded from the nationwide strike against the Centre's "anti-labour" policies. The state government and police are providing tourists all the help. The incident in Alappuzha is an isolated one,” the minister added.

Meanwhile, Pulinkunnu police registered a case against several persons who could be identified on sight for obstructing freedom of movement in connection with the incident.

A houseboat carrying Nobel laureate Michael Levitt and wife was blocked by protesters in Alappuzha on Wednesday. The boat was blocked for two hours from 9 am before being let off.

Michael Levitt was in Kerala as a guest of the state government to take part in programmes at Kerala University and another organised by the Higher Secondary Department. The Nobel Laureate had taken part in a function on Sunday.

Ten trade unions, including INTUC, AITUC, and CITU have called for the nationwide strike to protest against labour reforms, FDI, disinvestment, corporatisation and privatisation policies and to press for a 12-point common demands of the working class relating to minimum wage among others.

(With inputs from PTI)