THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition Leader VD Satheesan has reacted against the action of registering a case against Fr Eugene Pereira in connection with the incident in which ministers were stopped while visiting Muthalappozhi.

"This is a challenge to the coastal people. It was the ministers who provoked the people there. The government, which had assured the assembly that it would solve the Muthalappozhi issue, has not done anything so far. The government is looking at the coastal people as its enemies. The case against Fr Eugene Pereira should be withdrawn immediately. The government is rejecting the strike for survival. People in the coastal regions often react emotionally. The ministers should have comforted them instead of provoking them," Satheesan said.

Widespread protest is taking place in the Latin Church and coastal regions against the action of registering cases against Latin Archdiocese Vicar General Fr. Eugene Perera and the fishermen who blocked the road. The Latin Church is claiming that it was the ministers who worsened the situation by telling the protesters not to show off. On the other hand, Minister V Sivankutty is alleging that Fr Eugene Pereira called for violence in the region. The Anchuthengu police registered the case after this.

Meanwhile, a search is going on to find those who went missing after a fishing boat capsized in Muthalappozhi. Fishermen and Marine Enforcement are conducting the search. The funeral of Puthukkurichi native Kunjumon, who was killed in the accident, was held yesterday.