KOCHI: While the district administration’s move to come up with a comprehensive package comprising construction of the seawall, the local residents up in arms against the government have decided to continue the stir till the construction begins. The indefinite hunger strike launched by victims staying in the relief camp at St Mary’s LP School, Chellanam, under the banner of ‘Janakeeya Samiti’ entered its fourth day on Thursday.
Jervin Joseph, the secretary of Janakeeya Samiti, said the villagers have heard so many assurances, like this package, in the past but none of them have materialised. “The entire Chellanam village is on warpath. Even if the construction begins, we will end the stir only temporarily. If the authorities fail to keep their word after the three-month time they sought, we will intensify the protest,” he said. District Collector K Mohammed Y Safirulla had submitted a preliminary report suggesting the construction of the seawall to the state government on Tuesday, December 5. Engineers of the Irrigation Department will visit Chellanam on Friday and Saturday. The meeting convened Safirulla and K J Maxi MLA on Thursday decided to prepare an estimate to construct the breakwaters as prepared by IIT Chennai.
Septic tanks of around 1,500 houses in Chellanam were flooded with seawater, raising serious health concerns. Cleaning of septic tanks is continuing in the area. Nine tankers have been pressed into service for removing wastes. District Suchitwa Mission coordinator Siju Thomas said the unscientific construction of septic tanks was affecting waste removal.