Nine people have been arrested during a clearing operation to evict anti-fracking protesters at a camp in Upton, United Kingdom.
According to a spokesperson of the Cheshire police, two men were arrested for "obstructing police", while another was apprehended for "obstructing the highway," BBC News reported. Two other protesters were arrested for obstructing a high court officer, and another was arrested for "failing to comply with a Section 35 notice," which prohibits the protesters from going back to the area within 48 hours.
"Police officers will keep a visible presence at the location overnight and high court enforcement officers will remain on the site. Nobody was injured or taken to hospital during the eviction, and currently 20-30 people remain on Dutton Lane protesting," Cheshire police told The Guardian.
After they were served the eviction notice in November last year, the campaigners have reportedly constructed multiple fortifications in the site, including a tunnel network, walls and a moat in an attempt to stop officers from taking them out.
The camp site has been leased to fracking company IGas Energy, which has commenced exploratory drilling operations in the area. The company is testing the site for coal-bed methane deposits.
In court, the protesters invoked Article 8 of the Human Rights Act, which they claim permits them to stay in area otherwise some of residents would be left homeless. The group also contended that the rights of children residing in the campsite should be protected.
Moreover, the landowner reportedly granted them permission to stay on the land "until the issue of fracking had been concluded," Alex Offer said in behalf of the protesters.
Judge David Hodge, however, ruled that the group's contention is unmeritorious since the Human Rights Act cannot be applied to the case because the subject land is private.
Karen Harris, a resident of Upton and member of the Frack Free Dee activist group, said, "We surveyed our neighbours and over 85% do not want this industry here or anywhere else. There is no community consent for this work to take place and we'll be doing everything we can to defend ourselves."
"There is a school within 500 metres of the site and houses within 200 metres. We're not stupid, we can look to America for 10 years' worth of evidence as to what fracking means for communities. We won't have our health and environment ruined just to make a small number of people a large amount of money."
A spokesperson for IGas, meanwhile, stated, "While we respect the right to peaceful protest, these protesters are trespassing as determined by the high court. We do not condone any activity that is illegal."
The planning permission granted to IGas will expire on May 28 this year.
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