Kochi: The Kochi police arrested a large number of people, including women and children, who were protesting against the LPG terminal project of IOC Ltd at Puthuvypeen on Wednesday. The police action was condemned by a large section of people, including cultural activists.
The IOCL in a statement stated that the company was undertaking the work after receiving all statuary clearances from the authorities concerned. The Ernakulam collector has issued instructions to the police to provide security cover for the LPG plant as per the orders issued by the National Green Tribunal, Kerala High Court and central and state governments.
The order was issued to the district rural police chief in this regard. The action council spearheading the agitation against the project and the Kerala Regional Latin Catholic Council condemned the police action and said the agitation would be strengthened in the coming days. The KRLCC will hold a protest meeting at Goshree Junction on Saturday.
The district collector's order stated that the High Court had ordered to provide protection for the project in September last year. In addition, the Chennai bench of the NGT had also permitted the construction.
Industries Minister A.C. Moideen had held a discussion with the committee spearheading the agitation on April 7. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had also held a meeting on May 11 in this regard. The leaders of the agitation, representatives of the people and others attended the meeting. It was followed by an all-party meeting convened by the collector. In all these meetings, the officials concerned had requested the leaders of the agitation not to obstruct the work.
The police gave protection to the plant on Wednesday after all these measures, the collector said. The agitators had committed before the NGT that they would not obstruct the work or instigate others during the hearing on April 13, 2017, said IOCL general manager and Kerala head P.S. Mony.
Police action condemned
Varapuzha Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil said there was no justification for arresting the people engaged in peaceful protest.
The Latin Catholic Council also condemned the detention of women and children in a faraway police camp at Kalamassery.
Writers Sara Joseph, B.R.P. Bhaskar, National Fishermen Forum president T. Peter, Matsyathozhilali Ekopana Samithi leader Charles George, activists C.R. Neelakandan, V.D. Majeendran, Purushan Eloor and several others condemned the police action.
