Vizhinjam Protest: Latin Archdiocese claims bank accounts frozen by central govt

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Latin Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram on Monday alleged the central government freezing their bank account as a punitive step against the Vizhinjam protest. According to the allegation, the church is now caught in a mire, not able to withdraw money to carry out mission activities. The allegation was mentioned in an article published in their pastoral weekly.

In the article, it is mentioned that even FRCA accounts that bring donations from abroad have been frozen. The archdiocese reasoned that the circular was issued only to inform the believers about the financial straits currently tormenting the church.

On the 15th of last month, the state government decided to withdraw 157 cases registered in connection with the protests against the construction of Vizhinjam International Port. A total of 199 cases were registered in the 2022 strike. Out of this, 157 non-serious cases were withdrawn. Action will continue in 42 cases of serious nature.

The government came up with the decision after considering the many requests they received from several factions of the church. The Latin Archdiocese had demanded that all cases related to the protest be withdrawn. A petition was also submitted to the Chief Minister informing about this. Even the 260 people involved in the case had earlier submitted a request for leniency to the commissioner.

However, serious nature cases such as attacking a police station and putting a police jeep on fire will stay.