The statement of prominent people in the political, social and cultural fields that the private groups organized by Gautam Adani with the support of the state government are disrupting the peace in the coastal area.
First Published Dec 2, 2022, 9:02 PM IST
Thiruvananthapuram: Eminent people from the political, cultural and social circles have jointly demanded that the protest that erupted should be resolved amicably without resorting to confrontation. A joint statement signed by 113 people demanded that those who sow unrest along the Vizhinjam coast, disrupt security and peace and fuel communal tension should be strictly dealt with. It is also necessary that the legitimate demands of the fishermen should be accepted and the government should immediately intervene to protect peace by withdrawing false cases.
The strike has been going on peacefully for 135 days in Vizhinjam. Private groups organized by Gautam Adani with the support of the state government are disrupting the peace in the coastal areas. An attempt is being made to attack the struggle of the Latin Archdiocese with a communal label. On November 26, the protesters peacefully stopped the lorries carrying construction materials. But they also alleged that the supporters of the port were throwing stones at the protesters.
The police did not intervene effectively to stop the conflict. Violence was encouraged and those who behaved like Adani’s private army were allowed to run free. On November 27, the police abducted the Parish Administration Committee workers who went to the Vizhinjam police station to investigate the arrest of an innocent man. A woman who went to the police station to inquire about her husband’s arrest was allegedly beaten up. The police insulted the crowd consisting of men and women who came to the station premises after learning about the incident. They discussed for 4 hours but no decision was taken. They also say that the people got angry when the stone pelted from the darkness.
Thiruvananthapuram Archdiocese Bishop, Assistant Bishop and Vicar General including 3000 people have been charged with 8 cases. Only one case was taken against those who assaulted the protesters. Efforts are being made by RSS-BJP workers and community organization leaders to incite communal feelings against the Samara Samiti workers. It is supported by the state ruling CPM.
The CPM, which has been fighting with minorities across India against communalism, is in favor of Adani’s Kautilya tactics in Thiruvananthapuram. The state government, which is responsible for maintaining peace and providing security to the people, is not doing that. They are using government agencies to spread bad propaganda against the people’s protest committee demanding that Vizhinjam port construction be stopped and a study be conducted. Propaganda is spreading that the campaign is linked to banned terrorist organizations and threatens national security by accepting foreign funds. They also condemned the insulting of individuals who have been working in political, social, labor and feminist fields in Kerala society for a long time as traitors and conspirators.
When concerns were raised that the Vizhinjam project was causing serious problems during construction, the government had appointed a financial team. The demand to include experts suggested by the fishermen was not accepted. It is only natural justice that the project should be put on hold until they study the issue and come to a final conclusion. If the results of the study are against the plan, the impact of the construction activities at that time will be incalculable. They also assessed that the demand of the fishermen is reasonable that the project activities should be stopped during the impact study.
BRP Bhaskar, MK Munir MLA, poet KGS, K Ajitha, MN Karasery, EV Ramakrishnan, Ambikasuthan Mangat, director Jio Baby, former MP Thampan Thomas, Riyas Komu, Kalpatta Narayanan, Welfare Party state president Hamid Vaniyambalam, CR Neelkanthan and others have signed the statement.
Last Updated Dec 2, 2022, 9:04 PM IST
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