Corpn claims it can do preparatory work; The protest committee alleges contempt of court
Corpn claims it can do preparatory work; The protest committee alleges contempt of court
Kozhikode
The Kozhikode Corporation’s attempt to start preparatory work for the proposed sewage treatment plant at Kothi (Pallikandi-Azhikkal Road) led to tension between police and locals on Wednesday.
The matter started when the contractors of the corporation reached the place marked for STP to install fencing. Locals under the Public Protest Committee tried to stop them, claiming that any construction there would amount to contempt of court. However, a huge police force was present at the site to ensure smooth conduct of the work. After a long dispute and scuffle, 32 protesters were arrested and removed. The officials continued with their intended work of fencing the boundaries of the proposed site. However, the local protest committee alleged that the corporation was challenging the high court’s order allowing only basic works like surveys.
Faisal Pallikandi, convener of the protest committee, said, “The corporation has no right to carry out any construction on the site before the final court order. The corporation is trying to suppress the protest by using brutal police force.” The committee gave a memorandum to the District Collector on Wednesday evening and demanded action against the corporation officials for contempt of court. “Several protesters, including women, were injured in an instant, while two of them were seriously injured. They have been admitted to the Government General Hospital in Kozhikode Beach,” Mr. Pallikandi said.
Meanwhile, Corporation Secretary KU Bini said that the officials were fencing only on the side of the property near the road and the river bank has been left alone as this can be done only after the final verdict of the court. “We have put up iron fencing there. No construction will be done on the site before the final decision. However, we are free to conduct the survey,” he said.
The protest against STP at Kothi has been going on for more than two months during which the Corporation’s efforts to convince the local people about the need of STP at the site have not been successful. The protest committee had moved the High Court against the project and obtained an order on March 17, directing the corporation to maintain status quo. Following the corporation’s clarification on the issue, the high court had set aside the earlier order and allowed the civic body to go ahead with the preparatory work. The final hearing of the matter has been fixed for May 18.