Vizhinjam Port: Latin Church Justifies Violence By Mob Of Fellow Faithfuls, Says It Is A Natural Response To Provocations By Government

The Latin Church, spearheading the ongoing agitation against the under-construction Vizhinjam port, sought to justify the violence that erupted during the weekend, claiming that it was only a natural response to provocations scripted by the government. The church asserted that the protest would continue.

The ₹7,525-crore deep-water, multipurpose, international seaport and container transhipment terminal at Vizhinjam is being constructed by Adani Vizhinjam Ports Pvt Ltd (AVPPL). It is expected to significantly boost India's maritime ambitions.

Extending solidarity to the ongoing protests, the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) Council said the attitude of the central government and the state government, which ignores the demands of studying the basic problems arising due to the construction of Vizhinjam port and finding solutions to them cannot be justified.

It further said the action of the police, who filed a case against the archdiocese head Archbishop Thomas Neto, the assistant bishop R Christudas and the priests along with the leaders of the protest committee who are leading the protest, is objectionable. This protest for fair rights should have been prevented from becoming violent.

A mob of agitators led by the Latin Catholic church on Sunday (Nov 28) night attacked Vizhinjam police station here in protest against the construction of Adani port, injuring at least 40 policemen and damaging police vehicles.

The mob targeted the police station using sticks and bricks, and attacked police officers after a person was arrested and a few others were taken into custody in connection with the violent protests on Nov 26.

The agitators also attacked media persons who were present at the site. ACV local channel camera person, Sherif M John was attacked by the protesters, who damaged his camera and snatched his cellphone. He has been shifted to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital.

Over 3,000 persons have been booked under unlawful assembly, rioting and criminal conspiracy charges on Monday (Nov 29) in connection with the violent attack on the Vizhinjam police station last night as part of the ongoing protest against the under-construction Adani port.

In the FIR, police have registered a case against 3,000 identifiable persons, including women and children, for vandalising the station and injuring police personnel.

Sections of IPC, including 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 447 (criminal trespass) and 353 (Assault on public servant), have been invoked.