Latest news with #KeralaStateHumanRightsCommission
Time of India
06-08-2025
- General
- Time of India
Stench & flies as waste piles up on Central Theatre Road
1 2 3 4 T'puram: Heaps of garbage have been lying unattended for months beside the Amayizhanjan Canal along Central Theatre Road, stretching between Pazhavangadi and Power House Road in the city centre, causing hardship to local traders and pedestrians even as the city corporation and the major irrigation department are passing the buck regarding its clearance. For traders, the mounting refuse is more than a bureaucratic headache; it is hurting business and causing diseases. Shop owner Viswamabaran T said: "Customers avoid this stretch because of stench and flies. We've seen daily footfall drop by nearly 30% since the dumping began." Another shopkeeper Ajith Kumar V said: "The waste is full of leachate and pests. People with breathing problems or children avoid walking here; it's a health hazard," Ajith said. The waste was reportedly left behind by the contractor appointed by the major irrigation department, following canal desilting works earlier this year. According to a senior city corporation official, since the cleaning was undertaken by the irrigation department, disposal of the dredged material falls within the same agency's scope. "Cleaning of main canals, including the Amayizhanjan, is being done by major irrigation department. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Are Unstoppable: The Most Beautiful and Talented Female Athletes Undo So it is their responsibility to remove the waste," he said. A senior official with the irrigation department firmly disputed the stance, asserting that "the corporation must clear the debris left behind by the contractor. However, we will ask him to remove the waste soon." Amayizhanjan Canal has long been reflecting the city's waste management failures. Following sanitation worker Joy's tragic death a year ago, cleaning works under the railway tunnel were wrapped up recently spending Rs 63 lakh. Yet, citywide canal cleaning has been plagued by delays, stalled slab laying at Vanchiyoor, financial hold-ups and inconsistent joint agency coordination. Kerala State Human Rights Commission had earlier called on authorities to act urgently to clear waste and restore water flow ahead of monsoon. However, fund crunch remains an issue. In total, more than 500 works are under way across the city aimed at cleaning, deepening and desilting canals and drains to prevent urban flooding. Amayizhanjan Canal was one of the key focus areas, particularly the segment running under the railway tracks at Thampanoor, which has historically been a bottleneck during heavy rains. A cleaning drive of the Amayizhanjan Canal was carried out in 2019, but it again got clogged with waste materials, deterring the smooth flow of water through the drain. Amayizhanjan Canal has been in a sorry state for so long. Neither the city corporation nor the irrigation department has taken up the cleaning of the canal properly. As a result, Thampanoor witnessed flash floods regularly. Meanwhile, Centre has yet to release Rs 200 crore for the comprehensive flood mitigation project, including the clean-up of all canals and drains in the city based on the proposal submitted by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority. The proposal was submitted last year during the monsoon.
The Hindu
05-08-2025
- The Hindu
Rights panel orders probe into death of two-wheeler rider in Kochi
The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has registered two suo motu cases on the death of two two-wheeler riders by speeding private buses in Kochi. The latest case was the death of Muhammed Salim, 42, a resident of Kodungalloor, employed by an online aggregator, after being knocked down by a private bus near the South Kalamassery flyover on Monday. Commission Chairperson Alexander Thomas directed District Police Chief (Kochi City) to assign an officer not less than the rank of an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) to probe the accident to bring the guilty to book and extent maximum punishment. He urged the authorities to remain alert, function efficiently, and take stringent measures to ensure that no more lives are lost on roads due to speeding private buses. The Commission sought a report from the ACP after looking into aspects like whether a case had been registered against the driver concerned and whether the same bus had been involved in accidents before. Apart from the registration of criminal cases, actions that can be taken under the Motor Vehicles Act against drivers causing such accidents should be submitted to the Commission. The Commission should also be informed about the details of cases registered by the police in connection with accidents caused by private buses due to overspeeding and reckless driving, and the precautionary measures taken by the police. The Regional Transport Officer (RTO) should submit a separate report. Steps should be taken by the District Collector, RTO, and the Transport Commissioner for the protection of commuters and pedestrians. Last month, the Commission had taken a suo motu case after a first-year graduate student, Govind P. Shenoy, 18, was fatally knocked down by a speeding private bus at Ernakulam North. In that case, the Ernakulam Town North police had booked the driver with the non-bailable charge of culpable homicide amounting to murder.
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
SHRC orders urgent action on violations at apartment
The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed immediate steps to address the flaws detected by multiple government agencies at the PTC Western Ghats Apartment complex near Catholicate College in Pathanamthitta. In an order, commission member V. Geetha has directed the municipal secretary of Pathanamthitta to ensure that the builder, PTC Builders, rectifies the defects listed in the report within 10 days. Failing this, legal action must be initiated within 15 days under the relevant provisions. The order noted that the building lacks a functioning liquid waste treatment system and a sanitary waste disposal mechanism. The Pollution Control Board's operational permit expired in May 2021 and several provisions of the Kerala Municipality Act have been violated. The commission also ordered that all three elevators be made fully operational for emergency use, warning of action by the District Fire Officer if neglected. Authorities have been asked to clarify whether an occupancy certificate was issued despite objections from the Pollution Control Board, Health Inspector and Fire department. The builder , meanwhile, has been directed to form a residents' association within 30 days and maintain all shared amenities until then. The complainants have been advised to approach the Kerala Real Estate Regulatory Authority for compensation if promised facilities remain undelivered.
The Hindu
06-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
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.
The Hindu
03-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Crime Branch team records statement of woman who was illegally detained by Peroorkada police
The Crime Branch on Tuesday commenced its probe in a case involving the illegal detention and alleged custodial harassment of a Dalit woman by the Peroorkada police following a false charge of stealing a gold necklace. A team led by Pathanamthitta District Crime Branch DySP K.A. Vidyadharan recorded the statement of the complainant, Bindu R., at her house in Nedumangad. Expressing hope that the truth would emerge through the ongoing investigation, she demanded the probe be extended to the house owner, Kowdiar native Omana Daniel, who had filed the theft complaint against her. Reiterated accusations In her statement, Ms. Bindu is learnt to have reiterated her accusations against suspended sub-inspector Prasad S.G. and grade assistant sub-inspector Prasannakumar of subjecting her to unlawful custody and mental harassment. She added that she was held in custody at the Peroorkada police station for over 20 hours. The Crime Branch will also collect statements from the house owner as well as the police officers who had investigated the case in its initial stages. CCTV footage from the Peroorkada police station will be thoroughly examined as part of the inquiry. Besides the suspension of the two officers, the Station House Officer was suspended after the issue had come to light. Mr. Vidyadharan has been entrusted with the probe based on a directive issued by the Kerala State Human Rights Commission. The panel had instructed the Kerala Police to hand over the investigation to a police officer of the rank of DySP or above from outside the Thiruvananthapuram district for an impartial probe. The team has been instructed to submit its report by July 7.
