Police in the Indian state of Kerela on Wednesday said they would not allow a Hindu group close to the country’s ruling party to march in support of a mega port by Adani Group, as tensions rise over a $900 million project stalled by Christian protesters.
Members of the Hindu United Front have vowed to walk to the port in Vizhinjam, on the southern tip of India, to pledge their support for a project they say will create jobs in the region
Construction has been halted for almost four months by protesters from a fishing community who say the port is causing erosion that has hit their livelihoods.
The villagers, led by Catholic priests, are blocking the site’s entrance with a makeshift shelter, and an attempt by police to intervene triggered clashes which injured more than 80 people.
To stave off fresh violence, a senior police officer said even more security had been deployed around the port to prevent the Hindu group from reaching it.
“We have denied permission to the rally by the Hindu United Front. We have taken enough precautions to prevent it if the front defies the order,” Trivandrum Deputy Commissioner of Police Ajith V told Reuters.
The port is strategically important to India and billionaire Gautam Adani, Asia’s wealthiest man and the world’s third-richest. Once completed, it will become India’s first container transhipment hub, rivalling Dubai, Singapore and Sri Lanka for business on the lucrative east-west trade routes
Critics say Adani, who comes from the same state as Modi, has benefited from the federal government’s policies.
Adani’s conglomerate and the government of Kerala have denied accusations that the port is causing environmental damage.
Supporters of the port have set up their own shelter across the street from the protesters. Earlier, Hindu United Front member C Babu told Reuters they would go ahead with the rally.