THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Strong protests are being staged in the state against the laying of survey stones for K Rail. The natives threw the survey stones brought to the stream. The officials reached the place escorted by the police at 8.30 am in the morning. The locals first spoke to the officials with restraint but later it turned into a large protest.

There was a minor scuffle between the police and the locals after the stones were thrown into the stream. Many including women came to protest. The equipment for digging was recovered by the locals.

The BJP marched to the office of Minister Saji Cherian in Chengannur. The protesters protested with the stones removed. The police stopped the march in front of the office. The minister had yesterday said that there were some with behaviour of militants behind the strike. Shortly criticisms were showered against the minister.

Protesters have thronged at Perumpaikkad village in Kottayam and at Thirunavaya since morning. The people are protesting by climbing on top of a vehicle carrying stones and holding placards.

Stones will not be laid in Kozhikode and Chottanikkara where clashes were witnessed yesterday. The authorities had informed they will only conduct survey procedure