V Sivankutty, Ahammed Devarkovil | Photo: Mathrubhumi
Kozhikode: Ministers Sivankutty and Ahammed Devarkovil condemned the violent protests against the port in Vizhinjam after the protesters attacked a police station leaving policemen injured and causing damages worth Rs 85 lakhs.
Talking to the media in Kozhikode, Devarkovil said, “The government held talks with the protesters several times. Every time, they raised different demands. Five out of their seven major demands were already accepted.”
“Staging attacks on police stations, manhandling policemen, launching attacks against other religious communities are not acceptable in a state like Kerala. The government is ready for any kind of compromise to maintain religious harmony in the state,” said the minister.
“The protesters’ sixth demand is to distribute free kerosene. We can't fulfil the demand without the central government's permission. Their seventh demand is to stop the construction of Vizhinjam port and it cannot be accepted,” he added.
When asked about the church diocese’s demand for a judicial investigation into the violence, Devarkovil said, “If the diocese believes in the judiciary, then they should have abided by the court’s directive. They have repeatedly violated the assurance given to the court.”
Meanwhile, Education Minister V Sivankutty said the anti-port protesters are acting like terrorists.
“It needs to be investigated whether there has been any external force in the protests. So far, there are no attempts to suppress the protests,” said the minister.
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