The public outrage against the proposed SilverLine semi-high-speed rail project continued to boil over in Nattassery, Kottayam, for the second consecutive day on Tuesday with the region witnessing a tense stand-off between the local people and the police.
Having ended their protests following the withdrawal of a survey team on Monday evening, the protesters returned to Kuzhiyalippadi, the venue of protest, around 9 a.m. on Tuesday. By the time they assembled at the spot, K-Rail officials, guarded by a huge police contingent, had already begun surveying the area and planting marker stones.
As the police blocked the attempts by the protesters, including municipal councilors, to enter the location, they picked up an argument with the officials over proceeding with the survey without intimating the residents. Following this, the police removed the barricades erected on the road.
