Clashes erupt in Thamarassery; 50 people including rural SP injured: People set 'Fresh Cut' poultry waste rendering plant on fire

KOZHIKODE: A major clash broke out after locals set fire to a poultry waste rendering plant in Ambayathode, Thamarassery. Kozhikode Rural SP K.E. Baiju and 21 policemen were injured in the lathi charge.

The protest march demanding the closure of the Fresh Cut poultry waste rendering plant culminated in the clash. Locals pelted stones at the company vehicle and the police, who tried to bypass the protest, injuring people including Thamarassery CI Sayuj. The police used tear gas and lathi to confront the protesters. Rural SP Baiju, who arrived after receiving information about the clash, was also injured. He was admitted to a private hospital in Kozhikode, the three injured to Kozhikode Medical College and the others to Thamarassery Taluk Hospital. The police lathi-charged the locals when they did not disperse despite using tear gas several times. The enraged protesters set fire to the processing plant, causing major damage.

Five years since protests started

Locals had been protesting against the foul smell and discharge of waste from the poultry waste rendering plant, which started operating in 2019. Four schools approached the court. The case is under consideration by the High Court. The foul smell did not subside even after the factory was closed and renovated five months ago. The conflict broke out when the locals formed a protest committee and started an indefinite day-and-night strike today. The company's panchayat license expired on March 31 and its pollution certificate on April 31. The locals became infuriated when the Kattippara panchayat decided to renew the license.

"The residents are getting sick because of the garbage being dumped into the river. The police attacked the protesters after the Rural SP arrived."

- Babu,

Chairman of the 'Anti-Fresh Cut' Protest Committee