Kozhikode: Days after the public protest against the Fresh Cut Poultry Waste Management Plant ended in violence, District Collector Snehil Kumar Singh has directed the police to stop 'unnecessary raids' in Thamarassery area.
At an all-party meeting held at the collectorate on Wednesday, the Collector instructed police officials to identify the real culprits behind the violence and to avoid unnecessary interventions in the region related to the issue. He also said further discussions would be held with the police regarding follow-up actions.

Representatives of various political parties and people’s representatives attended the meeting.

Singh said the district administration would take steps to address public concerns regarding the plant’s operations and other related issues. Discussions will be held with the District-Level Facilitation and Monitoring Committee (DLFMC) to find solutions.

The operation of the Fresh Cut plant has been suspended for the time being. Currently, the plant holds valid permissions from the State Pollution Control Board, the local body, and the DLFMC.

The Collector informed the meeting that the Pollution Control Board had granted permission to the plant after completing all necessary inspections. He added that further inspections by various authorities — including the Suchitwa Mission — are underway as per the rules.

“If any violations are found, the plant’s operations will be stopped immediately. The source of the foul smell will also be identified,” Singh said.

A committee with representatives from political parties and people’s representatives will be formed to monitor developments, he added.

As the plant’s operations have been temporarily halted, waste collection has resumed with the support of the Malappuram district authorities, though some local opposition continues, the Collector said.

He also noted that, while permission had been granted for additional waste management plants in the district, many projects had been shelved due to public protests.

“The district administration stands with the people, not with those who engage in criminal acts,” Singh clarified.

Kozhikode Rural Police Additional Superintendent AP Chandran informed the meeting that the investigation is progressing and that the raids were conducted to trace those who infiltrated the protest and incited violence.

Lok Sabha MP M K Raghavan, MLA M K  Muneer. MLA Linto Joseph, Sub Collector Gautam S Raj, ADM C Mohammed Rafeeq, district leaders of political parties, local body representatives, and officials from the Suchitwa Mission and the State Pollution Control Board attended the meeting.

It was on Tuesday that the natives staged a sit-in protest in front of the Fresh Cut animal waste management plant at Ambayathodu near Thamarassery. The protest turned violent when a group of protesters tried to block waste from being taken to the plant. Following this, police intervened, and violence erupted. Amid the clashes, the agitators torched the plant, and several police officers — including Rural SP K.E. Baiju — sustained serious injuries. Following this, police raided houses in the area to trace those involved in the violence.