New Delhi: Vizhinjam police on Sunday booked at least 15 Latin Catholic priests, including Archbishop Thomas J Netto, Fr Christudas, Fr Eugine Perera, Lawrence Gulas, in connection with violent clashes that broke out between those opposing and supporting the seaport project in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram, news agency PTI reported.
According to police, cases have registered against over 110 people under IPC Section 143 (Unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) 153 (Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 447 (criminal trespass), 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty). One person has been arrested so far.
As per report, going against the assurances given to the Kerala High Court, the protesters on Saturday allegedly blocked trucks carrying construction materials to the Vizhinjam project site, leading to a scuffle.
During the protest, a section of locals, in support of the project opposed the presence of protesters.
"During the protest, there was a minor scuffle too. Now, we have registered nine cases against the protesters and those who oppose the agitation in Vizhinjam," PTI quoted a senior police official in the district as saying.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition, VD Satheesan said that the FIR against the Archbishop was unacceptable.
"Cases have been registered against nearly 50 priests. This cannot be accepted. Now it seems like the Pinarayi Vijayan headed government will do anything for the Adani Group. The Latin Church's allegation that the violence was orchestrated by the government is a serious one," he said in a statement on Sunday.
He added that the United Democratic Front had pledged support to the protesters and will continue to do so.
Notably, the protesters, led by the Latin Catholic church, on November 22 assured the High Court they would not block any vehicles coming to the Vizhinjam site.
The church, which has been leading the protests for over 100 days, urged the believers to protest against the Left dispensation.
The police have registered a case based on a complaint filed by people's forum which supports the project.