AT LEAST NINE COPS INJURED IN VIZHINJAM PORT CLASH: POLICE

The ongoing agitation in Vizhinjam, about 20 kms from the state capital, over the construction of a port turned violent on Sunday with clashes between police and protesters. Atleast nine policemen were injured in the clash, according to police officers familiar with the matter.

The clashes broke out after protesters laid siege to the Vizhinjam police station over an FIR registered against the Archbishop and the auxiliary bishop of Thiruvananthapuram, Thomas J Netto, on Saturday. Netto has been at the forefront of the agitation. According to a senior officer, the police resorted to baton charge and fired several rounds in the air to disperse the crowd.

According to a report by news agency PTI, four police jeeps and a minivan were damaged in the clash and nine police officials were injured. The injured were shifted to hospitals, said officials familiar with the matter.