Vizhinjam Port- Kerala HC Dismisses Plea Seeking NIA Probe Into Attack On Police Station

The Kerala High Court today dismissed a PIL seeking NIA probe into the recent Vizhinjam violence in which over 3,000 anti-seaport protesters vandalised the police station there injuring over 40 police personnel.

A Division Bench of the High Court, comprising Chief Justice S Manikumar and Justice Shaji P. Chaly dismissed a petition filed by a Thiruvananthapuram native seeking National Investigation Agency probe into the violence.

The Court accepted the State government's submission that cases were registered and investigation has begun in the matter.

"Investigation is at the preliminary stage," the Court observed while dismissing the petition.

The protest against the project had turned violent recently, involving an attack on a police station on November 27, resulting in massive damage to public and private properties and serious injuries to police officers.

The Police had told the Court in another case that the people who indulged in violence were gathered by ringing bells of churches. 

"The violent mob also attacked the Police persons and injured them grievously. Besides, they even obstructed the ambulances and rescue persons who came to shift the injured Police persons to Hospitals. The mob also destructed 6 Police department vehicles parked in the Station compound and outside. The mob also destructed 20 private vehicles parked near the public road. The window panes, water purifier, furniture, CCTV cameras, lights etc. were destructed by the mob", the police said in the affidavit.

Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt. Ltd. and its officers have filed a contempt petition alleging violation of the earlier orders of the High Court to end protests preventing construction activities at the Vizhinjam international port project. The police filed its affidavit in the said proceeding. 

Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt. Ltd. had approached the Court seeking police protection to continue construction activities and the High Court passed a series of orders in the case. In November, the Court had said that the state and the people cannot be held to ransom by blocking the route to the Vizhinjam port and ordered that its directions be implemented.

With PTI inputs