On Friday, the Kerala High Court asked the state government to remove the tents at the protest site. That is in front of the entrance of the under-construction Vizhinjam Port.
The Adani Port moved a contempt of court petition before the court. Which said a shed erected by the protestors was still in place. And alleged that there are obstructions in front of the entrance. They had also requested police security.
Earlier on August 29. The state High Court had said that the construction at the Vizhinjam Port cannot be halted. And any complaints with regard to the project can raised at appropriate forums.
The court had said that the agitation must not affect the ongoing project.
The Adani Group, in its plea, said the ongoing agitation was a threat to the life of its employees. And the police and the government were not taking any action in this regard.
The company had also told the court that even though it had approached the government seeking protection no steps were initiated.
A large number of coastal people have been staging an intense protest. Which is outside the main entrance of the multi-purpose seaport. Since last week pressing their seven-point charter of demands. Which is including stopping the construction work. And conducting a coastal impact study in connection with the multi-crore project.
The protesters have been alleging the unscientific construction of groins. The artificial sea walls are also known as “pulimutt’ in local parlance. That is part of the upcoming Vizhinjam port. One of the reasons for the increasing coastal erosion in the district.
The Kerala Government has met one of the most important demands. That put forward by the coastal community.
An order issued on October 6 constituting a four-member expert committee. Who studies the impact of port construction on the coast.
The Committee will headed by M D Kudale. Who is the former additional director, of Central Water. And Power Research Station, Pune. The other members of the EC are Riji John. Riji is Vice Chancellor, of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Kochi. Tejal Kanitkar, associate professor, School of Natural Sciences and Engineering. Also in National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. And P K Chandramohan, former chief engineer, Kandla Port Trust.
