Chellanam villagers call off agitation

Dawn-to-dusk hartal total; authorities agree to expedite measures to prevent sea erosion

Kochi, Kerala, 29/05/2018: The coastal village of Chellanam, located on the southern most tip of Kochi city, has been reeling under sea erosion for the past couple of days with the water rising upto one meter inside the houses. As the south west monsoon is set to intensify in the coming days, the situation in here, in all likeleyhood, will worsen furthe in the abscence of proper sea-walls and related flood mitigation measures. Photo : Thulasi Kakkat.

Villagers at Chellanam have called off their agitation following the authorities assured them that measures to prevent sea erosion would be expedited.

The dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the West Kochi Coast Protection Council (WKCPC) was total in the village with shops remaining closed and vehicles staying off the road.

Meanwhile, the waves continued to batter the coastline throughout the day and saline water continued to gush out on the stretches where seawalls have been damaged or flattened by the waves.

Chaotic scenes

Earlier in the day, the village witnessed chaotic scenes as the police arrested a few local residents who staged a blockade at the Kandakadavu Junction. On hearing the news, villagers rushed to the spot and prevented the police from shifting them to the police station. The situation eased later in the afternoon following a discussion between the protesters and a team of government officers headed by the District Collector and the City Police Commissioner.

“The villagers have called off their agitation after the administration agreed to expedite the implementation of measures to prevent sea erosion due to the rough monsoon,” said Vijayan S., Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mattancherry.

According to the official, as many as 24 persons were taken into custody in connection with the protest and they were later released after registering cases for rioting.

Confirming the withdrawal of agitation for the time being, Jinson, a member of the WKCPC, said the authorities had agreed to begin construction of the geo-tube sea walls by June first week. In the mean time, a three-metre-high sand bag will be constructed along the stretch, besides cleaning up canals and other waterbodies.

“People living close to the sea face constant threat. They are not in a position to move out of their homes as they have nowhere else to go,” he said.

Over 600 families here had been on strike demanding permanent measures to prevent coastal erosion, especially during the monsoon season.

In December last year, the cyclone Okchi had left a trail of destruction in the village.