KOTTAYAM: Residents and activists opposing the controversial K-Rail project were forcibly moved out by the police at Madappally near Changanassery on Thursday when they protested against the move to lay survey stones for the project. After the protesters were dispersed, officials of K-Rail affixed the survey stones.
Protesters, even women, tried to resist and stay put, but they were dragged along the ground and moved out. Police arrested 27 persons, including VJ Laly, Joseph M Puthussery, Antony Kunnumpuram, VV Vinayakumar, Jayaraj, Mini K Philip and Babu Kuttanchira. Women threatened that they would set themselves on fire after pouring kerosene from the bottles they had brought. Protesters also alleged that Laly and Philippukutty received kicks on their abdomen while being marched to the police vehicle. Laly is a Kerala Congress leader who contested in Changanassery seat during previous elections.Protesters had blocked the vehicle transporting survey stones in the morning and said that the stones were being laid without following procedures. Residents formed a human wall on the road preventing further movement of vehicles. Soon, the situation worsened and police swung into action after failing to pacify the crowd.
