Adani Group moves Kerala HC seeking Central forces protection at Vizhinjam port

No real action taken?

Meanwhile, the Kerala government informed the court that cases were registered against numerous persons, including the Bishop, with regard to the violence, and five persons were arrested.

However, the Adani Group told the court that many accused in the case, including many priests, are still at the protest site.

The group also alleged that the police investigation into the matter was a farce.

The Kerala High Court was, on 28 November, informed by the state government that steps would be taken to recover the loss suffered due to the violent protest and attack over the Vizhinjam seaport incident, from the protesters.

The state government had earlier informed the court that 40 police personnel were injured in the Vizhinjam police station attack in which 3,000 protesters participated.

Problems at the protest site

The court had, multiple times, asked the protesters not to block the road to the port premises and has asked the government to remove the shed erected by the agitators as part of their protests.

However, the government, on 7 November, told the court that it was unable to demolish the protest tents at the port due to the presence of children, pregnant women, and aged people among the agitators.

The Adani Group earlier claimed that the court’s order to provide police protection for the construction work was not implemented. It also sought the demolition of a tent set up at the protest site.

Also Read: Kerala CM condemns protests against Vizhinjam seaport, questions intention

The background

A large number of people have been staging protests outside the main entrance of the multipurpose seaport at nearby Mulloor for a few months.

They have been pressing for their seven-point charter of demands that include stopping the construction work and conducting a coastal impact study in connection with the multi-crore project.

The protesters have been alleging that the unscientific construction of groynes — the artificial sea walls as part of the upcoming port at Vizhinjam — was one of the reasons for the increasing coastal erosion.

The high court, in its interim order on 19 October, made it clear to remove obstructions created by protesters at the entrance of the port and asked the state government to implement it.