Even as their brethren elsewhere celebrated Christmas, the residents of Vallakkadavu in the immediate downstream of Mullaperiyar dam chose to observe fast shunning all kinds of celebrations.
Father Thomas Njalliyil of St. Joseph’s Church said that food was not prepared in households for the celebratory afternoon feast. “With the kind of anxiety they are living under, it was only normal for them not to celebrate Christmas in the customary jubilant way,” he said.
People of all faiths took part in the fast observed at the pandhal erected at Vallakkadavu junction as part of the agitation seeking protection to the lives of people, which has been underway there for the last almost one month. Elderly and those exhausted from having participated in the overnight prayer gatherings in the church stayed away. The fast continued till 5 p.m.
Vallakkadavu in Vandiperiyar grama panchayat is considered to be one of the worst affected places in the event something happens to Mullaperiyar dam.
