Protesters led by the Latin archdiocese blocked the port and sea at Vizhinjam on the 100th day of protest against the Vizhinjam port project near Thiruvananthapuram. , Photo Credit: Mahinsha S
Although the state government is in favor of deploying central forces at the construction site Vizhinjam International Port Port, Efforts are being made to find an amicable solution to the Vizhinjam issue through a series of backroom talks.
A day after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held a one-on-one meeting with the head archbishop of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church, Baselios Mar Clemis, as part of the outreach to the protesters, CPI(M) Thiruvananthapuram district secretary Anvoor Nagappan on Sunday met J. Netto, Archbishop of the Latin Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram.
Sources close to the government said talks with Baselios Mar Clemis were more hopeful. If the Latin Church agrees to soften its stand on the port issue, the state government may not pursue the cases filed in connection with the violence by protesters last week.
Similarly, the state government may also agree to their demand that their representative be included in the panel constituted to study the impact of the port project on the coastline, if they are ready to call off the strike.
Even as speculation is rife about a possible thaw in the frozen ties between the protesters and the state government, a circular read in churches under the Latin archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday soothed frayed nerves with circular softening There are some signs of calming down. Its aggressive language and stepping down from its previous intransigent position.
In a circular explaining the circumstances that led to the violence in Vizhinjam, some people were blamed for instigating the violent incidents in Vizhinjam.
The portrayal of those leading the struggle for survival as traitors and terrorists had also sparked outrage. Though it is not necessary to permanently close the port, the circular said, construction work has to be stopped to study the impact of the port project on the shoreline.
This is a major climb from its previous aggressive position. The circular also alleged that the protesters, including women, were brutally beaten up by the police.