Priests led port protesters, church bells rung to get mob: Kerala cops

KOCHI: Protesters led by priest Eugine H Pereira blocked heavy vehicles carrying construction materials to Vizhinjam International Seaport, summoned a mob of 2,000 persons by ringing the bells of nearby churches, and assaulted police personnel, an affidavit filed by Thiruvananthapuram city police commissioner to the high court on Thursday said.
A mob of 500 persons 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.
When five of the accused in the first incident on Saturday were arrested on Sunday, a mob of 3,000 persons 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 Saturday's incident, the affidavit said that the agitators led by Rev Eugine H Pereira (R13) and Fr Phiovioous D'cruz (R18) blocked the road with their vehicles (KL-01 CT 6065 and KL-01 CN 5784).
More police were called and the HC order allowing movement of heavy vehicles to the port site was announced to the protesters through public address system. But the protesters obstructed the vehicles and blatantly violated the assurance given by them to the HC, police said.
The affidavit then stated, "Moreover, by ringing bell 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 in support of the project, the court was told. Eight cases were registered regarding Saturday's violence and a separate case was registered following Sunday's incidents.
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 investigation, the offences of causing hurt to a public servant, causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons, and attempt to murder were added.
However, some offences were deleted from the FIR, including disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant, criminal conspiracy, wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot, and criminal trespass, it said.