KOCHI: The Kerala high court on Friday ordered for immediately removing the shed put up by protestors obstructing the road to the project site for Vizhinjam International Seaport.
Justice Anu Sivaraman issued the order after considering a contempt case (COC No. 1703/22) filed by Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt Ltd (AVPL) against the chief secretary and other high-ranking state government officials alleging non-implementation of the court’s order of September 1st to provide police protection for carrying out the work for the port project.
During Friday’s hearing, a senior counsel submitted on behalf of AVPL that the ‘panthal’ (temporary shed) obstructing the road has not been removed. The state attorney also agreed to the submission.
After considering the submission, the court ordered, “The respondents shall take appropriate steps to see that the ‘panthal’ obstructing the road to the project site is immediately removed.”
In addition to the protestors, those named as respondents in the contempt plea are chief secretary VP Joy; K Gopalakrishnan, who is the managing director of state-owned Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL); K Biju, who is the secretary of the Department of Ports; state police chief Anil Kant; Thiruvananthapuram city police commissioner G Sparjan Kumar; deputy commissioner Ajit Kumar; and Vizhinjam station house officer Prajeesh Sasi.
Through an order issued on September 1st, the court had ordered the officials to ensure that adequate police protection is provided to AVPL, its contractors, and workers in view of the protests being conducted by fishermen under the leadership of the Latin Archdiocese of Trivandrum. The court had also ordered for deploying central forces if the state government is unable to maintain law and order in the project area.
