07/01/2008 (Earth Times), Kozhikode (Kerala) - The Kerala port town of Beypore witnessed a protest by various political parties and farmers' organisations over the import of palm oil as an Indonesian ship, Global Triton, arrived Monday to unload 3,000 tonnes of oil.

The police used force to remove protestors of Yuva Janata Dal, the youth wing of Janata Dal (Secular), who tried to block entry to the port.

Kozhikode-based Parison's Food Pvt Ltd is importing the oil.

Farmers and political parties are opposing the import of palm oil because they fear further fall in coconut oil prices.

Kerala has around three million coconut farmers, who are facing a crisis following the dip in prices.

Earlier, the central government banned import of palm oil through Kerala ports on Dec 24.

The Kerala High Court, however, allowed this shipment as Parison's had entered into a contract for this consignment before the government notification banning the import.

The court order in this regard was issued Jan 1, following a writ petition filed by Parison's challenging the ban.