Fisherfolk at Kerala's under-construction Vizhinjam port, on Monday, blocked it from the sea as well. The main entrance of this multi-purpose seaport, located at nearby Mulloor, has seen a large number of people intensely protesting since last week.
On the seventh day of agitation, protesters climbed over barricades and broke open the lock of the main gate.
The fisherfolk have reiterated that the protest would not be withdrawn till their seven demands are met. While the state government said it would meet five of their demands, it was only an oral assurance and they wanted it in writing.
They demand that the construction of the port should be stopped and a study be carried out regarding its environmental impact and representatives of the fisherfolk, who are experts in such matters, be also consulted.
The protesters have been alleging that the unscientific construction of groynes, the artificial sea walls known as "pulimutt' in local parlance, as part of the upcoming Vizhinjam port was one of the reasons for the increasing coastal erosion in the district.