THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a move to avoid contempt of court proceedings by not opening the Vilappilsala waste treatment plant even after a High Court order, a team of police officials broke open the plant’s lock on Saturday morning, 45 days after it was shut down by the Vilappil panchayat here.
The police team led by Nedumangad DySP Mohammad Shafi broke open the lock of the Vilappilsala waste treatment plant after they received a directive to take action from the government and a formal request from the Corporation to carry out the HC order.
The Corporation had convened a meeting of top police officials including the ADGP, the City Police Commissioner and Rural SP on Friday evening where a letter was formally handed over to them to initiate measures to open the plant.
DySP Mohammad Shafi said that 180 police personnel were deployed
at the scene, including 40 women police personnel. ‘’The plant would be given police protection for its operations,’’ he added.
Though a protest was expected by the panchayat and Janakeeya Samithi members, both parties kept away from the scene though the agitators were seen gathered at the Vilappil junction.
Asked about the development, Vilappil panchayat president Shobhanakumari said that the panchayat would stand by the feelings of the village and would support the local sentiments.
‘’We did not open the plant, we are moving the court and the rest would be decided there,’’ she said.
The Janakeeya Samithi reiterated its stand that it will block any garbage truck entering the panchayat.