Will not hesitate to take drastic action; High Court issues warning against violent protest in

KOCHI: The High Court, which directed the government to strictly implement the court order to provide protection to the construction of Vizhinjam port, warned not to force it to take strict action against the agitators. The court said that the pandal and obstructions on the road should be removed immediately.

Justice Anu Sivaraman is hearing the pleas filed by Adani Group and construction contracting company Howe Engineering Projects seeking police protection for the port construction. The construction of the port has been stalled for more than a hundred days following a strike led by the Latin Archdiocese.

The petitioners explained that the strike was violent. The other day, the protesters invaded the port construction area and set fire to a boat. The petitioners also presented before the court the report and pictures of the violent incidents published in Kerala Kaumudi yesterday.

According to the petitioners, the government is not following the order to provide police protection for the construction. Although the High Court ordered the demolition of the protest pandal erected on the road to the port, no action was taken. Following this, the High Court said that the protesters are also liable to follow the orders. The single bench is also considering contempt of court petitions against the government for not providing protection for the port construction.