THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has clarified that they will not withdraw the case registered against Archbishop Thomas J Netto of the Latin Archdiocese in connection with the clashes in Vizhinjam as part of their strike against the port. The chief minister said this while replying to the question of MLA Anoop Jacob in the Assembly. The strike was staged in violation of the high court order and so police action was taken. The chief minister said that further proceedings are in progress in the case of violation of law and order.

Incidents including the attack on the police station in Vizhinjam happened during the strike staged against the construction of the port. The case was registered against Archbishop Thomas J Netto as the first accused in the incident of attacking the station. The case was registered for conspiracy. A case of attempted murder has also been registered against the priests, including the Vicar General Father Eugene Pereira, who was present at the site. More than 100 people are accused of organizing a protest rally in the project area and unleashing violence.

Many people including policemen were seriously injured in the attack and incurred a loss of lakhs. The strike was called off following a compromise. With that, the construction work has been expedited.