Roof sheet collapse: Congress files complaint with human rights panel
Leader of the Opposition in the Thrissur Corporation Rajan J. Pallan and deputy leader E.V. Sunilraj have lodged a formal complaint with the Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), demanding legal action against officials responsible for the collapse of a roof sheet from a building owned by the Thrissur Corporation onto Municipal Office Road recently.
The incident occurred on May 23, followed heavy rain and gusty wind. The metal roofing, installed atop a multi-storey building owned by the Corporation, had been in a dangerously unstable condition since April 22 due to a storm. Despite being aware of the risk, officials failed to take any preventive measures for over a month, the complainants alleged. No one was injured, but it was purely due to luck, the Opposition leaders stressed.
Even 15 days after the incident, the LDF-led Corporation council has taken no action against those responsible, Mr. Pallan said. The official involved with the construction work is a known sympathiser of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], and hence the inaction, he added.
'Unsafe buildings'
He further criticised the Corporation for not demolishing structurally unsafe buildings and accused the CPI(M) leadership of attempting to shield negligent officials. The Opposition warned that if such efforts continue, they would escalate protests both within and outside the council.
'We will not accept a Mayor or a ruling council that puts the lives of citizens at risk,' Mr. Pallan said.
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