Chottanikkara (Ernakulam): A major protest erupted after a lodge owner locked the rooms of Ayyankuzhi residents who had been relocated to a lodge in Chottanikkara following a fire at the Hindustan Organic Chemicals (HOC) facility in Ambalamugal, Kochi. Protesters briefly detained Sub-Collector Grandhe Sai Krishna, who had come to hold talks. Additional police were deployed from nearby stations on Wednesday night to control the situation. The sub-collector was released at 11.15 pm after assuring protesters that discussions would continue in the presence of the district collector on Thursday.

After the refinery fire on July 7, residents of Ayyankuzhi were moved to the lodge in Chottanikkara, with food and support provided by the refinery until July 26. The lodge owner asked residents to vacate on that date after being informed that refinery authorities could no longer pay the rent.

Residents refused to move to a polluted area. On Wednesday, while rooms were empty, the lodge owner reportedly closed 21 rooms by putting another lock. The owner said the authorities had paid for 49 days of rent, but he could not cover the remaining period and was unable to run the lodge.

During the protest, Sub-Collector Grandhe Sai Krishna arrived and asked residents to temporarily relocate to the government camp in Chellanam or the Puthankurish(Puthencruz) Panchayat Community Hall, requesting a few more days to resolve the issue. Protesters rejected the proposal, demanding permission to remain in the lodge until a permanent solution is found.

When the sub-collector attempted to leave, activists from Janakiya Samiti, including women and children, blocked him at the lodge gate, prompting police, led by Chottanikkara SHO KN Manoj, to bring him inside. Despite talks, protesters remained firm. Additional officers from

Mulanthuruthy and Ramamangalam stations were called.

The sub-collector was eventually released after assuring that the matter would be discussed with the district collector on Thursday afternoon. Ayyankuzhi residents remain in the lodge, and the locked rooms have not been reopened. Protesters have stated they will continue their demonstration until a permanent solution is reached.