At least nine cops injured in Vizhinjam port clash: Police

The clashes broke out after protesters laid siege to the Vizhinjam police station over an FIR registered against the Archbishop and the auxiliary bishop of Thiruvananthapuram, Thomas J Netto, on Saturday.

The ongoing agitation in Vizhinjam, about 20 kms from the state capital, over the construction of a port turned violent on Sunday with clashes between police and protesters. At least nine policemen were injured in the clash, according to police officers familiar with the matter.

Several police vehicles were damaged during the siege that went on for two hours. (Representative Photo)

The clashes broke out after protesters laid siege to the Vizhinjam police station over an FIR registered against the Archbishop and the auxiliary bishop of Thiruvananthapuram, Thomas J Netto, on Saturday. Netto has been at the forefront of the agitation.

Several police vehicles were damaged during the siege that went on for two hours.

According to a senior officer privy to developments, the police then resorted to baton charge and fired several rounds in the air to disperse the crowd.

According to a report by news agency PTI, four police jeeps and a minivan were damaged in the clash and nine police officials were injured. They were shifted to various hospitals, the report said, citing officials familiar with the matter.

Work on the multi-utility mother port was disrupted for more than three months after protesters entered the site demanding suspension of all works.

They alleged large-scale construction and breakwater projects will impact their livelihood and earlier promises on rehabilitation were not met by the government.

The fishing community, under the leadership of Latin Catholic church diocese in the state capital, had raised a seven-point demand list to end their agitation, including a stop of all the construction work, which the government rejected.

(With PTI inputs)