An all-party meeting called by Karat Razak, MLA, at Kattippara in Kozhikode district on Monday to discuss the relief package for the families of landslip victims was disrupted by a group of youths who were denied permission to address the gathering.
Tension prevailed in the area as the youths tried to halt the proceedings and manhandle the MLA. Mr. Razak who felt uneasiness after the incident was rushed to the Thamarassery government hospital.
The police said the youths, said to be part of the rescue operations at the site, were unyielding to the proposal of giving an opportunity to only one of their representatives to speak at the meeting. As permission was denied, they resorted to an aggressive mode of protest, the police said. The meeting was resumed after a few hours.
A relief committee was formed to prepare a rehabilitation plan for the landslip victims. As a temporary arrangement, rented houses will be identified to shift families from relief camps. The expenses will be borne by the Revenue Department.
Meanwhile, Kattippara panchayat authorities said they had already identified seven houses, an anganwadi building, and two madrasa complexes to meet the rehabilitation requirements. Within three days, the families could be shifted to the new locations, they added.
Housing aid
The panchayat authorities also sought the aid of the State government to construct houses for 23 families who were hit by the landslip. They said eight families had lost their houses completely in the incident.
To support the landslip victims, the panchayat also constituted a relief cell to mobilise public contribution. The cell will open a bank account to manage the contributions and prevent attempts by suspected organisations to cash in on the opportunity. Final decisions on the rehabilitation of the victims will be taken at a separate meeting on June 23.
