KOCHI: The High Court, which said that the order to provide protection for the construction of Vizhinjam port should be strictly implemented, asked why the state did not seek the help of the central forces if the police are unable to provide protection for the port.

Justice Anu Sivaraman asked the question while considering the pleas filed by the Adani Group and construction contracting company Howe Engineering Projects seeking police protection against the strike led by the Latin Archdiocese. The single bench directed the police to inform the court of the details regarding the execution of the interim order to provide protection. The court will hear the petitions again on October 19. The single bench issued an interim order on September 1 to provide police protection. There is also a contempt of court petition filed by the petitioners alleging that the government and the police did not comply with this.