All-party meet held day after stir turns violent

An allparty meeting convened in the wake of large-scale violence in south Kerala’s Vizhinjam during a protest against the development of a trans-shipment terminal by Adani Group on Monday failed to reach a consensus after the protesters refused to budge and demanded that the project be halted.

Speaking to reporters, food minister JR Anil said all parties condemned the violence that erupted late on Sunday and everyone, barring the protesters, were in favour of resuming the project hit by the agitation.

“The meeting condemned the violence and political parties want to resume work. The government is ready to talk further,” he said.

A large number of coastal people have been agitating, mostly outside the main entrance of the multi-purpose seaport located at nearby Mulloor in Thiruvananthapuram, since August 16, against the port project. The Latin Catholic church is spearheading the agitation. The protesters claim that large-scale construction and breakwater projects are affecting the livelihood of the coastal people and that the government has failed to deliver its promises on rehabilitation.

On Sunday, the agitation turned violent after the protesters vandalised a police station and forcibly released four people who were arrested last week. As many as 36 police personnel and 30 protesters were injured in the violence. On Monday, police said property worth over ₹1 crore were damaged in the clashes and 3,000 people were booked.

Archbishop Thomas J Netto was made the first accused for alleged conspiracy, with Thiruvananthapuram city police commissioner Sparjan Kumar saying the case against the priest is a “natural process”.

Vicar general of the church, Father Eugine Pereira, said there is no change in the protesters’ demands. He also sought a judicial probe into Sunday’s violence. “We are firm on our demands. No consensus was reached (during the all-party meeting),” he said.

The state government, meanwhile, on Monday informed the high court that steps will be taken to recover the loss suffered during the protest.

In the court, the Adani Group alleged that Sunday’s violence was premeditated and reiterated its demand for deployment of central forces to ensure resumption of the project.