Vizhinjam port: Protesters led by priests rang church bells to mobilise mob, Kerala high court told

KOCHI: Protesters led by priest Eugine H Pereira blocked heavy vehicles carrying construction materials to Vizhinjam International seaport, summoned a mob of 2,000 people by ringing the bells of nearby churches, and assaulted police personnel, an affidavit filed by Thiruvanathapuram city police commissioner to the Kerala high court on Thursday said.
A mob of 500 people led by priests Eugine Pereira, Lawrence Kulas, George Patrick, Phiovious D’cruz, Shain, Ashmin John, Sajas Ignatious, Antony, and AR John also trespassed into the project site and destroyed the office there, the court was told.
When five of the accused in the first incident on Saturday were arrested on Sunday, a mob of 3,000 people laid siege to the police station and attacked police personnel, resulting in injury to 64 policemen, including grievous injuries to a sub-inspector and six others, the affidavit said.
Regarding the role of priests in the first incident on Saturday, the affidavit said, "The agitators led by Rev. Eugine H Pereira (R13) and Fr. Phiovioous D’cruz (R18) blocked the road by parking their vehicles bearing registration no. KL-01 CT 6065 and KL-01 CN 5784".
More police personnel were mobilised and the high court’s order allowing the movement of heavy vehicles to the project site was announced to the protesters through the public address system, the court was informed.
But the protestors obstructed the vehicles and blatantly violated the assurance given by them to the high court, police said.
The affidavit then stated, "Moreover, by ringing bells of nearby Churches, the party respondents abetted the devotees to gather. As such, more than 2,000 people, including ladies, children and old-age persons gathered at once and they indulged in violent activities".
The mob then attacked police personnel and those who had gathered expressing support for the port project, the court was told.
A total of eight cases were registered regarding Saturday’s violence and a separate case was registered following Sunday’s incidents, the affidavit said.
Offences invoked in the FIR for Sunday’s incidents include unlawful assembly, rioting, conspiracy, wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot, destruction of public properties.
During the investigation, the offences of causing hurt to a public servant, causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons, and attempting to murder were added.
However, some offences were deleted from the FIR, including disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant, criminal conspiracy, want only giving provocation with intent to cause a riot, and criminal trespass, the affidavit said.