Black flags waved at Ministers, Chandy effigy burnt

The activists were protesting against the government failure to curb infant mortality in the tribal hamlets.

Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) activists on Tuesday waved black flags against Ministers K.C. Joseph and P.K. Jayalakshmi when they reached Agali in Attappady to inaugurate a set of road projects connecting the tribal settlements with the outside world.

The activists were protesting against the government failure to curb infant mortality in the tribal hamlets.

They also wanted a peaceful resolution to the indefinite hunger strike by M.B. Rajesh, MP, demanding a fair deal for the tribal people.

The police arrested and removed nearly 20 DYFI activists.

CPI protest

Activists of the Communist Party of India (CPI) burnt Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in effigy at Agaly on Tuesday evening.

They were protesting against the reluctance of the government to resolve the indefinite hunger strike by party leader Easwary Resan seeking steps to check infant mortality among the tribespeople.

Meanwhile, Mr. Joseph told presspersons that some of the projects implemented in Attappady in the past few years had failed to generate the desired results owing to inherent faults.

He promised to take corrective steps soon, and said suggestions in this regard would be tabled at Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting.