Vizhinjam port construction: Fisherfolk storm project site on 100th day of protest

The protesters, who have been led by the Catholic Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram, have demanded the construction of the Rs 7,500-crore seaport be stopped. The protesting fisherfolk have alleged that the construction of the port, which began in 2015, had caused coastal erosion, leading to loss of livelihood and dwellings.

The state government has held a number of talks with the protesters, but the deadlock has continued.

Protesters have been alleging that the “unscientific” construction of groynes, the artificial sea walls that were built as part of the port, was one of the reasons for increasing coastal erosion.

Earlier this month, the state government appointed a four-member committee to study whether there has been any coastal erosion as a result of the construction of the seaport. But the Church rejected the decision, saying the committee did not include a representative from their side, and that the exercise was meant to tailor a report in favour of the Adani Group, which is constructing the port.

As the protest turned stormy on its 100th day, Kerala Labour Minister V Sivankutty told the media that police have been maintaining utmost restraint.

“The government does not want to create a tense situation. The fisherfolk should not go ahead with the agitation as their demand is unacceptable,” he said.

Venganoor Gopakumar, the convener of the People’s Defence Committee which has been backing the pro-construction demonstrations, said that even though the project had led to the loss of employment in agriculture, coir and tourism sectors, it is expected to bring in development.

The Congress is set to launch an agitation in front of the state secretariat on Friday, demanding the intervention of the CM to end the agitation against the construction of the port.