Puthuvype protests: Dozens injured as police resort to lathicharge [Video]

The residents allege the construction on the LPG terminal was being carried out in violation of the Green Tribunal's rules When protesters tried to barge into the plant and stones were pelted towards them, the police resorted to lathicharge Several people, including women and children, suffered serious injuries in the lathicharge and were seen bleeding profusely The police detained some of the protesters including the elderly, and claimed that the injured have been shifted to hospitals

The standoff between police and residents over the upcoming LPG terminal at Puthuvype in Kochi turned violent on Sunday, with the cops resorting to lathicharge to disperse the protesters.

Several people, including women and children, suffered serious injuries in the lathicharge and were seen bleeding profusely. The police have also detained some of the protesters including the elderly and women, and claimed that the severely injured have been shifted to hospitals.

The locals had launched the agitation against the construction of an LPG import terminal at the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) plant in Puthuvype, a populated region, around four months ago. The residents allege that the construction on the terminal was being carried out in violation of the National Green Tribunal's rules.

The police have been camping at the plant, providing security, as directed by district collector and the government. In the recent talks held with harbour engineering minister J Mercykutty Amma, the residents were assured that the setting up of the plant will be temporarily stopped.

However, the police came to the spot to remove the protesters forcibly on Sunday morning and a scuffle broke out. When protestors tried to barge into the plant and stones were pelted towards them, the police resorted to lathicharge.