20 INJURED AS IOCL STIR TURNS VIOLENT

Kochi, June 18: At least 20 people were injured when police lathi-charged those protesting against the LPG import terminal project near here when they allegedly tried to breach a security cordon and storm the site.

The protesters of Putuvype, who have intensified their agitation against the Indian Oil Corporation’s project since last week, alleged scores of people, including women and children, were injured in the “brutal” police action.

The police said at least 20 people have been admitted to Ernakulam District General Hospital, where doctors said the condition of three with head injuries was serious.

Opposition parties condemned the police lathicharge with the Congress calling for a day-long hartal in the locality on Monday.

In a related development, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan decided to hold a meeting with all stakeholders on June 21 at his office in Thiruvananthapuram to discuss the issue, officials said on Sunday. Citing the CM’s intervention, the Indian Oil Corporation announced temporary suspension of the work on the project. The protesters demanded action against police for using force against them while they were staging a “peaceful protest”.