A violent mob led by the Latin Catholic Church late on Sunday night attacked the Vizhinjam police station in Thiruvananthapuram in a demonstration against the construction of the new Adani port.
The group targeted the police station using batons and bricks and attacked police officers after arresting a person. Police officers began detaining protesters on November 26. “At least 29 policemen were injured and admitted to various hospitals,” said a special branch police official.
In response, the Kerala government deployed more police personnel from other districts, aware of the developing crisis. The protesters also attacked the media covering the entire incident. Sheriff M John, a cameraman from local channel ACV, was injured by the protesters. They damaged his camera and stole his phone. He is being treated at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital.
Meanwhile, to ease the situation, the district administration has started talks with the senior members, including Father Eugene Perera of the church. “We will talk to the protesters. I have come here to resolve the matter peacefully,” Father Perera told the media. “The Church wants to keep the peace.”
Prior to this incident, the state police had registered an FIR against 15 Catholic church priests, including Metropolitan Archbishop Thomas J Neto and Perera, over the violence in Vizhinjam on Saturday. Mainstream media broadcast images of vandalism such as overturned SUVs and police cars.
Senior officials, including the district collector, city police commissioner and sub-collector, called a pacification meeting with the protesters at the animation center in Kovalam. Church administration and government officials are expected to speak to the media after the meeting. Police have beefed up security in Vizhinjam area.
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