Chellanam residents call off hunger strike
KOCHI: The Chellanam residents, who were on the warpath against the government demanding the construction of seawall and breakwaters in the area which was hit by cyclone Ockhi, on Saturday called off the hunger strike launched by them under the banner of ‘Janakeeya Samiti’.The six-day long indefinite strike was called off after District Collector Mohammed Y Safirulla, K J Maxi MLA and former MP P Rajeev held talks with the protestors at Velankanni Matha Church, Chellanam. The key demands raised by the protesters included construction of a seawall, sanitation activities, maintenance of damaged houses and ration to the affected families.
Though the District Administration had prepared a comprehensive package for the Ockhi victims at Chellanam on Thursday, the residents declined it stating they will wind up the protest only after the construction work begins.“We have now withdrawn our stir temporarily as the authorities have promised to meet our demands. However, we will intensify the protests if they fail to keep the promise,” said Jervin Joseph, secretary of Janakeeya Samiti.
The District Collector has promised that seawall and breakwaters will be constructed in the area. Besides, the government has decided to give job to the wife of cyclone victim Rex Kalipparambil in the Fisheries Department. “The authorities have also agreed to disburse adequate compensation to the victims whose houses were damaged,” said Jervin. “The work to restore the seawall at the Bazaar area, where the stones have been dislodged by the tidal waves, has already begun.
Further, the proposal for a comprehensive package comprising seawalls and break water systems as designed by the Madras IIT will be submitted to the state government next week,” said Mohammed Y Safirulla. Earlier, the District Collector had submitted a preliminary report suggesting the construction of the seawall to the state government on December 5. A meeting convened by Safirulla and K J Maxi MLA on Thursday decided to prepare a comprehensive package for Chellanam. Following this, Engineers of the Irrigation Department visited Chellanam on Friday and Saturday.
The cleaning of septic tanks of around 1,500 houses at Chellanam was almost completed by Saturday. The District Suchitwa Mission and the Health Department have been entrusted with the sanitation work in the area, where seawater deposited black sand and mud.