[Unofficial Malayalam-to-English translation by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

"Vizhinjam strike of fishermen caught between the devils and the sea", 22 December 2022

The Vizhinjam fishermen’s protest was driven by allegations that the port’s construction had accelerated coastal erosion, displaced communities, and threatened traditional livelihoods. Large-scale dredging and a massive seawall led to the destruction of entire coastal villages, forcing families into overcrowded shelters with inadequate state support. Many struggled to receive compensation, as some lacked official land titles. While the government offered Rs 10 lakh for housing, protesters argued this was insufficient and demanded land of equivalent size instead of relocation to cramped flats. Reports also highlighted unsafe working conditions, as increased wave intensity near the port made launching and returning boats dangerous, leading to multiple accidents.

The protest was met with heavy-handed state repression. On November 27, when community members gathered at a police station to inquire about detained protesters, tensions escalated after stone-pelting from a nearby building. Police responded with baton charges, tear gas, and grenades against unarmed protesters, including women and elderly residents, causing injuries. Over a thousand protesters were later charged, widely seen as an attempt to suppress dissent. Another key grievance was the lack of transparency, as initial claims that Vizhinjam’s deep waters required no dredging were contradicted by extensive excavation. Critics argued environmental impact studies were inadequate or ignored, and agreements between the Kerala government and the Adani Group lacked public scrutiny. Protesters alleged that instead of addressing concerns, the state framed opposition as politically motivated. Meanwhile, media coverage largely echoed the police narrative, failing to investigate the environmental risks or displacement crisis, further sidelining affected communities.