Detention of officials attached to a Government of India enterprise by fishermen opposing the proposed harbour at Enayam triggered tension in the coastal hamlet for a while on Wednesday.
When a team from Indian Rare Earths Limited, comprising scientist Pradeep Kumar, two assistants and the car driver, landed at Enayam on Wednesday afternoon for an inspection after conducting a similar survey at Kanniyakumari and Rajakkamangalam, the fishermen opposing the seaport project mistook them for officials attached to the special purpose vehicle launched for the implementation of the harbour.
Even though Mr. Pradeep Kumar and his assistants explained to the fishermen that they were only collecting and examining rare earths getting accumulated along the Enayam beach during this windy season, they rejected the explanation and took them to the nearby church premises.
On getting information about the wrongful confinement of the Central government officials, police and revenue officials, including Vilavancode Tahsildar Sheela and Colachel Deputy Superintendant of Police Venkatraman rushed to the spot to hold talks with the fishermen who rejected the officials’ version.
Having left with no other option, additional police force was rushed to the spot to ensure release of the detained team. When the fishermen stood their ground, the police took the members of the team and the fishermen to the Pudukkadai police station for enquiry. “Since the officials had been held like hostages, we’ll register a case against those who are behind this wrongful confinement if we get a formal complaint from a member of the detained team,” said a police officer.
Ever since the Centre gave its nod for the Enayam port, the fishermen of this region, who are opposing the proposed project, organised indefinite fast against it and have announced that their agitation would continue until the Centre withdraws its decision.
Additional police force was rushed to the spot to ensure release of the detained team
