Protesters’ arrest at Kurinji fuels tension

They were arrested on charges of deterring Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), Pala, from discharging his duties.

KOTTAYAM: The protracted protest by local residents at Kurinji against commencing quarrying operations at Kottamala hills took a different turn on Tuesday with the court remanding 25 persons, including a priest and two grama panchayat members.

They were arrested on charges of deterring Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), Pala, from discharging his duties. The arrest of the priest and others, who spearheaded the protests against the granite quarry, has triggered minor tension in Kurinji and Ramapuram areas.

Fr Thomas Ayalookunnel, Vicar of the St Sebastian’s Church, Kurinji, and members of Ramapuram grama panchayat Jeenas Nadh and Mathachan Puthiyidathuchalil have been remanded for 14 days. The agitation council has called a hartal in Ramapuram panchayat on Wednesday.

The residents had intensified protests after the Ramapuram grama panchayat secretary issued licence to St Basil Industries India Private Limited, a Muvattupuzha-based firm to commence quarrying operations in the hills, around a week ago. 

Agitators alleged the officials were trying to muffle the protests and cover up their inefficiency by slapping fake cases against the local residents.