INDIA. Kerala: The Kerala Police on Monday released four of the five protesters arrested by the Vizhinjam police for allegedly blocking trucks in Thiruvananthapuram that led to a scuffle a day before.
Meanwhile, the Kerala Police lodged a case against 3,000 people. The police brought Thiruvananthapuram Archbishop Thomas Netto, auxiliary bishop R Kristudas, and several archdiocese priests into custody in connection to the violence against Adani Group’s Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited.
The angry protesters damaged government vehicles injured 30 policemen and threatened the cops to torch if they don’t release, they won’t release their men. The government police station suffered an Rs 85 lakh loss from the mass violence.
Kerala Port Development Minister Ahamed Devarkovil said, “The district collector was asked to convene an all-party meeting to ensure peace in the region. He would also hold discussions with the agitators. The issue is coming up before the high court on Monday. The government would also consider the outcome of the high court before deciding further action. The agitators had assured the high court that they would not obstruct the construction. Now, that assurance to the court has been breached.”
According to ADGP M R Ajit Kumar, five fishermen were taken into custody, four were released on bail, and another person was remanded in judicial custody.
The entire protest was held in demanding the completion of the Rs 7,500-crore seaport, which has been under construction since 2015. In the recent development, Adani Group is restarting their construction of the port, which has been paused for the last four months.
Action council convener Fr Eugene Pereira blamed the police forces for disrupting the protest and creating unnecessary interference, saying, “The police have arrested the bishops and the priests in the criminal case and charged them with conspiracy even though they were not part of the agitation. Saturday’s violence was unleashed by the men of Adani (group) with the connivance of police and BJP. We want a peaceful solution to the issue.”
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