Anti-sand mining crusader Jazeera dropped her protest in front of the Palarivattom police station here on Thursday after a day marked by complaints and clashes.
Jazeera had earlier protested outside businessman Kochouseph Chittilappilly's house for three days demanding that the reward promised to her be given to her directly. She later moved her protest to outside the Palarivattom police station seeking their help in resolving the matter. Mr. Chittilappilly informed that the cash award would be given to a government programme instituted for the benefit of sick children.
Outside the police station on Thursday, the protester stood witness to altercations between autorickshaw drivers, mediapersons, and police officials. She alleged that police officials abused her verbally after she came forward as a witness to the arguments between police officials and mediapersons.
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The police also booked a case against Jazeera under the Juvenile Justice Act after a city resident filed a complaint against her for not taking care of her children. Jazeera’s three children were living with her on the pavement during her protest outside the police station and Mr. Chittilappilly’s house. The complainant alleged that Jazeera was subjecting her children to hardships and was not taking care of them.
The police informed the Child Welfare Committee following the complaint. Committee officials arrived on the spot and spoke to the children. The three children were later moved to the district shelter home. “The concerns are whether the children’s education and care have been neglected. We will take stock of the situation in the morning and decided on further action,” said committee chair Padmaja Nair.
With her children gone, Jazeera decided to call it a day and left, saying she was going to her husband’s house.
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