Tribal settlements of Idukki still away from road and health facilities, angry community decided to boycott elections.
Kerala: Ahead of the local body and assembly elections in the state, the lack of basic facilities in the major tribal settlements of Idukki district has once again become a topic of discussion. The biggest concern is that two Muthuvan tribal settlements of Edamalkudi Panchayat and five settlements of Vattavada Panchayat are still completely cut off from road connectivity.
A report submitted by the State Special Branch to the Kerala Government states that the resentment of the people is increasing due to the continuous lack of facilities in the Edamalkudi area.
Carrying patients on bamboo stretchers
Due to lack of road connectivity, patients in areas like Edamalakudi, Swamiyarlakudi, Koodallarkudi, Mele Valsapettikudi, Vayaltharakudi and Parasukkadavukudi have to be carried to the hospital through forests on makeshift stretchers made of bamboo. Recently, an elderly woman was carried to the hospital in Mankulam through dense forests for 10 km in a similar way.
A child died on August 21. In another incident, a woman suffering from asthma could not be taken to the Family Health Centre in Societykudi in time, due to which her condition deteriorated and she later lost her life.
“The tribals of the district have been demanding basic amenities and road connectivity for a long time, but no concrete steps have been taken so far,” said a tribal member of the Vattavada panchayat.
Announcement of boycott of elections
In a recent meeting of tribal leaders of two wards of the Vattavada Gram Panchayat, a decision was taken to boycott the upcoming elections. In the meeting of tribal chiefs (Ooru Kootam), it was decided that there will be no participation in the elections. To fill the reserved seats in the Panchayat, political parties need to field candidates from these five settlements, but no one is ready to come forward.
Unfulfilled hopes even after 15 years
According to the information, the recent death of a five-year-old child in Koodallarkudi settlement of Edamalakudi has shaken the people of the Panchayat. It is noteworthy that in the year 2010, the first tribal Gram Panchayat was formed exclusively for the Muthuvan community. But even after 15 years, the community is struggling for basic facilities.
The Intelligence Wing report has recommended the government to intervene immediately and solve the problems.
Rajan Chaudhary
Courtesy: Hindi News