Overview
- A march by residents near Thamarassery turned violent as protesters set fire to the Fresh Cut poultry waste rendering unit and blocked Fire and Rescue vehicles from reaching the site.
- Clashes began when locals tried to stop a waste-laden vehicle, with stone-pelting alleged and police responding with tear gas, a cane charge, and later grenades.
- Kozhikode Rural Superintendent of Police K. E. Baiju was injured along with the Thamarassery Station House Officer and other personnel, and the injured were moved to hospitals.
- The factory, located at Ambayathode in Kattippara grama panchayat, sustained fire damage whose extent has yet to be assessed.
- Authorities cite years of complaints over odour and pollution, noting the panchayat withheld the licence in 2024 before a district committee cleared operations, and they are maintaining a strong presence while identifying those responsible.