KOCHI: In the wake of the protest against the IOC’s LPG terminal at Puthuvype, the police will keep an eye on those allegedly instigating the local residents to stage protests. Officers said a few persons deliberately provoked the police to use force in order to intensify the agitation. The officers have identified the stone-pelters as the cops had videographed the entire episode.
“We noticed a few persons used women and children as human shields to unleash violence against the police,” said Kochi Range IG P Vijayan. “They are unleashing attacks without any provocation. As many as 10 police personnel, including four women officers, sustained injuries in Sunday’s incident.”
He said a few protesters grabbed the name badge of DCP Yathish Chandra G H during a protest near the High Court Junction on Friday. The police resorted to baton charge to disperse the irate agitators. Vijayan said the police will initiate stringent action against those trying to obstruct public servants from discharging their duty by charging them under non-bailable sections. “We have received an order from the High Court to provide adequate security to the IOC plant. The protesters themselves agreed to follow the order of the National Green Tribunal. Though the order favours the IOC, the protesters are up in arms still,” he said.
The police have registered cases against a thousand persons in connection with the ongoing protests since last week. Meanwhile, Janakeeya Samara Samithi chairman M P Jaya Ghosh alleged goons inside the IOC plant pelted stones at them and the police blocked them in front of the plant and lathi-charged them.
“The police took many of us to Kalamassery A R Camp and denied treatment to many persons who sustained severe injuries citing technical reasons,” he said. CPI district council member Majnu Komath alleged the police attempted to brutally oppress a mass protest by resorting to lathi-charge. “Stringent action should be taken against the officers,” he said.