Tension escalates at Muthalapozhi as fishermen’s protest turns violent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Tension escalated at Muthalapozhi as local fishermen locked horns with the police and the Harbour Engineering Department over the inaction of the state government in removing the accumulated sand from the Muthalapozhi Harbour mouth in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday.

The conflict erupted on Friday morning after the dredger brought from Azheekal encountered issues and halted dredging activities at Muthalapozhi Harbour mouth.

The fishermen had been on a warpath following the closure of the harbour mouth owing to accumulation of sand, and inadequate dredging activities. The local fishermen staged a blockade on the coastal highway disrupting vehicular movement for hours.