Protests against the installation of the Silverline landmark became even stronger. In many places, the locals threw stones. Authorities returned, unable to place stones in some places. Events in various places are as follows:
∙ Youth Congress protest in Pathanamthitta
The clash erupted when the police tried to stop the Youth Congress march to the Collectorate. Police then used water cannon. The clash erupted after a meeting inaugurated by former opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala. Police fired water cannon as protesters chanted slogans to place a symbolic survey stone. Youth Congress district president MG Kannan fell on the road.
∙ Stones were thrown at Kottayam and a survey stone was planted at the Collectorate
The survey stone planted near Kottayam city was uprooted by the locals and the strike committee. Youth Congress activists broke through a police cordon and planted a survey stone in protest at the collectorate.
An attempt to place a stone near the Parampuzha pit failed on Monday. Authorities laid the stone here at 9 am yesterday. Later, locals led by the people’s representatives threw stones and kept watch till evening.
∙ No stones in Chottanikkara, case against many
Anoop Jacob MLA and Ernakulam DCC president Mohammad Shias have been booked under the Non-bailable section of the police for destroying survey stones in Chottanikkara. There is a case against 25 other people who can be seen. The case is based on a complaint filed by K Rail officials following the removal of survey stones installed in the beating field. Officials did not turn up to stone him yesterday following the protest. The action is expected to continue the next day.
∙ Stones were also thrown at Thirunavaya
Authorities opposed the protest with all available police forces, special services and the army. ” The locals were organized under the leadership of the Thirunavaya South Pallar Silverline Strike Committee at Chundikkal in South Pallar. As the stones were placed in two places, a group of women and children raised black flags and boards and chanted slogans.
The strike committee leaders and DCC president VS Joy held discussions with the authorities. After an hour-long discussion, the authorities returned for lunch, but the locals, who refused to leave, brought food to the protest site. Meanwhile, 2 stones erected in the morning were torn down.
∙ Kozhikode stoning stopped
The K-train which was stopped in Kozhikode district due to the protest in Kallai was not stoned yesterday. Congress and BJP leaders on Monday demanded that officials show them records of the area where the stoning took place during the protest. After the sketch was prepared under the direction of the Village Officer, it was announced that the laying of stones would resume. Authorities said the stoning was still unlikely to take place today.
The BJP district committee’s anti-K-rail march started yesterday. The district congress committee has formed a reserve of 11 leaders to lead the agitation.
English Summary: Protest against silver line project continues