Muthalapozhi boat tragedy imperils uneasy truce between govt and Church  

By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The uneasy truce between the state authorities and the Latin Church following final 12 months’s Vizhinjam protests appears to be on the snapping point after some ministers and Church officers resorted to a verbal duel on Monday over the Muthalapozhi boat tragedy.

One fisherman died and three others went lacking on Monday morning after their boat capsized on the mouth of Muthalapozhi harbour after being battered by sturdy waves. 

The go to of ministers V Sivankutty, Antony Raju and G R Anil to Muthalapozhi to take inventory of the rescue mission reignited the rift that peaked following final November’s alleged police station by members of the Church-backed Vizhinjam Action Council.

The incident precipitated a stand-off that was later resolved by means of talks. 

The ministers had been bowled over by the protest of native fisherfolk and family of the 4 fishermen, whose essential grievance was that the federal government didn’t do sufficient to rescue the lacking males.

They additionally alleged that authorities have been reluctant to resolve the recurring deaths of fishermen at Muthalapozhi. Sources mentioned the agitators had been provoked by one of many ministers who termed the protest stage-managed.

However, Sivankutty was fast to fault Thiruvananthapuram archdiocese vicar normal Eugine H Pereira, who can also be convenor of the Vizhinjam Action Council.

“He [Eugine] directed people to block the ministers and the district collector. He thought people would listen to him and create a law and order issue. The Vizhinjam protest was led by Eugine. The protest was called off when it elicited a poor response. The past rancour was clear to see. He should not have incited a riot,” Sivankutty mentioned.

Eugine dismissed the allegation that he had given a name to violence and accused Sivankutty of repeating what he had mentioned throughout the Vizhinjam protest.

“People were ready to talk to the ministers. But they were rude. Party workers were called in to provide them security. When Sivankutty saw me, he told me not to ‘show off’. I am not surprised because even during the Vizhinjam protest he had painted fishermen as rioters and anti-nationals,” Eugine mentioned. 

Fisherman’s physique recovered

The fisherman who died at Muthalapozhi has been recognized as Kunjumon, 40. Those lacking are Biju, Mandas and Biju. All the lads hail from Puthukurichy and had been engaged on the boat owned by Antony, who can also be a local of Puthukurichy. According to sources, the fibre boat by which the 4 had been travelling capsized on the entrance of the harbour round 4 AM as they made their strategy to the ocean. Since it was pitch darkish, the incident didn’t come to the eye of different fishers at first.

On understanding concerning the incident, the fishermen instantly mounted a search operation and recovered Kunjumon. Though he was respiratory, he died en path to the hospital.

In the final 9 years, there have been greater than 60 incidents of drowning of fishermen in Muthalapozhi and close by areas.  

Eugine Pereira booked

Police have registered a case in opposition to Fr Eugine Pereira on the cost of giving provocation with an intent to create a riot. The police suo motu registered a case after three state ministers had been blocked by the protesters whereas they had been visiting Muthalapozhi

Protest in opposition to minister’s feedback

The Latin Catholic outfits led by Kerala Latin Catholic Association (KLCA) took out a march to the Secretariat, protesting in opposition to the feedback made by General Education Minister V Sivankutty in opposition to Vicar General Eugine H Pereira. The protesters mentioned the minister couldn’t interact sensibly with the individuals as per the state of affairs and that infuriated the general public. The humiliation of Eugine Pereira made issues worse. The protesters demanded that the minister ought to withdraw his statements

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The uneasy truce between the state authorities and the Latin Church following final 12 months’s Vizhinjam protests appears to be on the snapping point after some ministers and Church officers resorted to a verbal duel on Monday over the Muthalapozhi boat tragedy.

One fisherman died and three others went lacking on Monday morning after their boat capsized on the mouth of Muthalapozhi harbour after being battered by sturdy waves. 

The go to of ministers V Sivankutty, Antony Raju and G R Anil to Muthalapozhi to take inventory of the rescue mission reignited the rift that peaked following final November’s alleged police station by members of the Church-backed Vizhinjam Action Council.googletag.cmd.push(operate() googletag.show(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );

The incident precipitated a stand-off that was later resolved by means of talks. 

The ministers had been bowled over by the protest of native fisherfolk and family of the 4 fishermen, whose essential grievance was that the federal government didn’t do sufficient to rescue the lacking males.

They additionally alleged that authorities have been reluctant to resolve the recurring deaths of fishermen at Muthalapozhi. Sources mentioned the agitators had been provoked by one of many ministers who termed the protest stage-managed.

However, Sivankutty was fast to fault Thiruvananthapuram archdiocese vicar normal Eugine H Pereira, who can also be convenor of the Vizhinjam Action Council.

“He [Eugine] directed people to block the ministers and the district collector. He thought people would listen to him and create a law and order issue. The Vizhinjam protest was led by Eugine. The protest was called off when it elicited a poor response. The past rancour was clear to see. He should not have incited a riot,” Sivankutty mentioned.

Eugine dismissed the allegation that he had given a name to violence and accused Sivankutty of repeating what he had mentioned throughout the Vizhinjam protest.

“People were ready to talk to the ministers. But they were rude. Party workers were called in to provide them security. When Sivankutty saw me, he told me not to ‘show off’. I am not surprised because even during the Vizhinjam protest he had painted fishermen as rioters and anti-nationals,” Eugine mentioned. 

Fisherman’s physique recovered

The fisherman who died at Muthalapozhi has been recognized as Kunjumon, 40. Those lacking are Biju, Mandas and Biju. All the lads hail from Puthukurichy and had been engaged on the boat owned by Antony, who can also be a local of Puthukurichy. According to sources, the fibre boat by which the 4 had been travelling capsized on the entrance of the harbour round 4 AM as they made their strategy to the ocean. Since it was pitch darkish, the incident didn’t come to the eye of different fishers at first.

On understanding concerning the incident, the fishermen instantly mounted a search operation and recovered Kunjumon. Though he was respiratory, he died en path to the hospital.

In the final 9 years, there have been greater than 60 incidents of drowning of fishermen in Muthalapozhi and close by areas.  

Eugine Pereira booked

Police have registered a case in opposition to Fr Eugine Pereira on the cost of giving provocation with an intent to create a riot. The police suo motu registered a case after three state ministers had been blocked by the protesters whereas they had been visiting Muthalapozhi

Protest in opposition to minister’s feedback

The Latin Catholic outfits led by Kerala Latin Catholic Association (KLCA) took out a march to the Secretariat, protesting in opposition to the feedback made by General Education Minister V Sivankutty in opposition to Vicar General Eugine H Pereira. The protesters mentioned the minister couldn’t interact sensibly with the individuals as per the state of affairs and that infuriated the general public. The humiliation of Eugine Pereira made issues worse. The protesters demanded that the minister ought to withdraw his statements