Protesters planned to block motorcade rehearsal, says DCP Yatish Chandra

The protesters were shifted from the road in front of the High Court considering the security of the Prime Minister, who was to arrive in the city for the inauguration of the Kochi Metro the next day.

KOCHI: The City Police on Monday submitted before the Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) the anti-LPG terminal protesters in Puthuvype attempted to tarnish the image of the government by blocking the motorcade rehearsal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 16. DCP Yatish Chandra, who appeared before the Commission in person, submitted the agitators’ move was to draw national attention to their stir.

“The protesters had plans to barge into the High Court, which ordered to provide police security to the IOC terminal,” said the affidavit filed by the DCP.

The protesters were shifted from the road in front of the High Court considering the security of the Prime Minister, who was to arrive in the city for the inauguration of the Kochi Metro the next day.

The intelligence agencies had also reported there was security threat to the Prime Minister. Had the rehearsal of the motorcade been blocked, it would have led to the cancellation of the PM’s visit, the affidavit said. The Commission will consider the case on September 9. Earlier, the KSHRC had issued a notice to Yatish Chandra to appear before it. The notice was issued in connection with a complaint on the alleged assault on women and children by the police during the protest against the LPG terminal.

Environmental panel to visit Puthuvype

T’Puram: In the wake of complaints surrounding the Indian Oil Corporation’s LPG plant at Puthuvype, the environmental committee of the Kerala legislative Assembly will visit the plant. The panel will hold its sitting at Ernakulam Collectorate conference hall at 10.30 am on August 1.

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