Latin Catholic Fishermen set ablaze boat, protest Seaport project

Thiruvananthapuram: Fisherfolk backed by the Latin Archdiocese protesting against the Vizhinjam International Seaport Project on Thursday set ablaze a boat and threw police barricade into sea.
Intensifying the stir which entered the 100th day, hundreds of fisherfolk including women entered the project site via road and sea and broke open the lock of the entrance gate of the Adani’s port, police said.
The agitators also stopped police from taking photos of the protest and those who were involved in the violence.
Demanding an immediate end to construction work, the agitators blocked the entire project area leading to clashes between the police and protestors.
However, the demand to stop the construction of the port was denied by the State Government.
On October 8, the Kerala High Court ordered that the pandal, erected by the strike committee supported by the Latin Catholic diocese protesting against the construction of the Seaport should be demolished immediately.
Justice Anu Sivaraman directed the State police to ensure that there is no obstruction in front of the port and ensure free movement of vehicles and staff of the port.
The state government has informed the High Court that it has already given notice to the protesters against blocking roads leading to the port and causing disruption to the constitution and people coming and going for work.
The court issued the direction while considering the petition filed by Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited seeking police protection for the construction of Vizhinjam port. The State Attorney appeared for the Government.
Allowing the petition moved by Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd, and its contracting company, Howe Engineering Construction, Justice Anu Sivaraman said the agitators have the right to protest, but they have no right to obstruct or cause damage to the project site.
Directing the State Government to ensure necessary police protection to the workers of the petitioners, the court observed that the project had all legal permissions.
Directing the Government to ensure that the law-and-order situation is maintained at the construction site of the Port, the court said free movements of construction workers to the project site should not be obstructed.
Earlier, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the State Assembly that no one will lose their shelter and livelihood in Vizhinjam in connection with the construction activities of the Vizhinjam International Seaport.
Assuring that the Government is committed to find solution to genuine problems faced by the people, he said the Government is ready for discussion with the agitating fishermen.
Stating that the Government has a clear vision about big projects implementing for the infrastructure development of the country, he said the constitution of the seaport cannot be dropped due to agitation of a section of people.
Meanwhile, fishermen backed by the priests of the Latin Archdiocese continued the agitation in front of the project site disrupting construction activities.
Following the agitation led by Latin Catholic Church, the construction activities of the Vizhinjam International Seaport were temporarily stopped by the Adani Group.
Earlier, Church Vicar General Eugene Pereira said the agitation will continue till their demands including proper compensations and an impact study on the project are accepted by the State Government. (UNI)                                    (pics credit-Just Kerala , Decan Herald)