Ritika
Thiruvananthapuram: Over 3,000 people have been booked in connection with violent clashes during protests against the Adani port project in Kerala’s Vizhinjam area on Sunday night. Police said cases have been registered against 3,000 identifiable people for vandalizing a police station and attacking policemen. 36 policemen were injured in the violence. Earlier on Sunday, the state police had registered an FIR against at least 15 priests of the Latin Catholic Church in connection with the violence in Vizhinjam.
Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) M.R. Ajit Kumar told the media that the mob ransacked the police station on Sunday evening and attacked the policemen, in which around 36 policemen have been admitted to various hospitals after sustaining injuries. Kumar told the media, “In the evening, a crowd gathered at the police station and demanded the release of some people arrested in another case. They ransacked the police station and attacked the officers. One SI’s leg is fractured. Looks like he was bricked.”
Kerala | Vizhinjam Police Station in Thiruvananthapuram was attacked last night allegedly by protesters opposing the Adani port project here. They demanded the release of people who were earlier arrested by the police during the protest. More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/3phTXzsomE
— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2022
Some police officers have received serious head injuries. Kumar said that no provocative action was taken by the police. He said that the officers were trying their best to maintain the law and order situation while exercising utmost restraint. The protest turned violent when the police had to resort to lathicharge and tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Kumar said that around 600 policemen have been deployed in the area and around 300 more policemen have been sent. In Thiruvananthapuram, the district administration on Sunday night held a meeting with the Latin Church authorities leading the protest against the port project. Meanwhile, Father Eugene Pereira, who attended the reconciliation meeting on behalf of the protesters, told the media that the protesters would leave without causing any harm to the public.
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He said on Sunday night, “Today’s conversation is over now. The people gathered in the surrounding areas will leave without causing any harm to the public. There will be talks again in the morning. We will have several meetings with the officials.” Pereira said the facts of the cases registered against the protesters in connection with the violence would be verified and representatives of the church would attend Monday’s meeting called by the district collector. He alleged that the police had picked up five local people without giving them any reason for their detention, which incited the local people. Pereira had said, “Many people were injured and have been admitted to various hospitals in the city. We still do not know how many people are injured.
In #Kerala,
Latin catholic priest led mob attacked #Vizhinjam police stations, and vandalized police vehicles.
At least 29 policemen were injured with serious injuries during the mob attack.
And, all these protestors are heavily funded by foreign agencies. pic.twitter.com/5xCXa3JL3B
— Joydeep🚩 (@Joydeep4Bharat) November 28, 2022
Some people are being reported missing so we will cover all the issues in tomorrow’s meeting.” Vizhinjam remained calm on Monday morning and heavy police force was deployed to control the situation. The protesters also attacked media persons present at the spot on Sunday night. The protesters attacked Sheriff M John, cameraperson of local channel ‘ACV’, damaged his camera and snatched his mobile phone. He has been admitted to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital.(Agency)
