Vizhinjam attack was with ‘clear ulterior intention’, says Kerala CM

Breaking his silence over the recent violent attack on a police station by anti-seaport agitators, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday criticised the incident, saying such protests took place with a “clear ulterior and heinous intention” to destroy tranquility in the society.There were widespread attacks against the police and public threats to attack the police station, but the police force cleverly realised the intention of the assailants, he said, addressing the passing out parade of a new batch of women police constables here via online.The CM, however, did not directly mention the fishermen community who had been staging protests against the upcoming Vizhinjam port and the Latin church which was leading the agitation.Appreciating the law enforcers for handling the issue sensibly, he said the peaceful atmosphere continued to prevail in the land because of the responsible behaviour of the police personnel despite attacks and injuries they suffered.”We have seen that certain agitators had taken the path of violence with a clear intention to destroy the tranquility in the society and upset the peaceful life of the people. As part of that, there were attacks against the police and open threats to attack the police station,” Vijayan said.The courageous restraint shown by the police personnel was the reason why things didn’t turn out the way the attackers intended and the government realises this, he said.Attacks, with the clear intention of killing them, were unleashed against the policemen but the law enforcers delivered their duty diligently with utmost self-restraint, the CM added.