Wayanad Landslide Victims Stage Protest Over Exclusion from Government Rehabilitation and Loan Waiver
In a significant demonstration of discontent, more than fifty families affected by devastating landslides in the Mundakkai-Chooralmala region and surrounding areas of Wayanad district staged a forceful protest in front of the district collectorate on Monday. The aggrieved families marched from Kalpetta town, effectively blocking the first gate of the collectorate to voice their grievances against what they perceive as systemic neglect by the state government.
Allegations of Exclusion and Incomplete Loan Write-Offs
The protesters leveled serious allegations, claiming they have been deliberately excluded from the official list of beneficiaries prepared by the state government for rehabilitation following the natural disaster. They expressed deep frustration, stating that despite government assurances during the catastrophe that all affected individuals would be rehabilitated, numerous families remain overlooked and without support.
A critical point of contention revolves around the bank loan waiver program. The families accused the government of adopting a double standard in writing off bank loans for disaster victims. According to loan details submitted by the state government to the central authorities, the data encompasses all families from wards 10, 11, and 12 of Meppadi panchayat, with total bank loans estimated at approximately Rs 33 crore. However, the state government has so far written off only Rs 18 crore, leaving the remaining families burdened with outstanding debts.
Specific Areas and Families Left Out
Protesters highlighted that many families from directly affected areas—including Mundakkai, Rattappadi, Padavettikunnu, Attamala, and Koynakkulam—have still not been included in the rehabilitation list. The protest took an emotional turn when the daughter of Punchirimattam native Ramaswamy, who tragically died in the landslide along with his son, shared her plight. She revealed that despite losing her father and brother, the government excluded her from the beneficiary list, citing her marital status, while in other cases, daughters of landslide victims have been included.
Furthermore, the protesters criticized the loan waiver program for being excessively limited, covering only 555 persons and excluding many deserving victims. This selective approach has fueled accusations of inconsistency and unfair treatment in the distribution of aid.
Confrontation and Negotiation with Authorities
Although police set up barricades in an attempt to halt the protest, the families remained resolute, insisting they would not leave without meeting the district collector. Their persistence paid off when, around 12:45 PM, the protesters were invited for talks in the collector's chamber.
During the subsequent discussion, District Collector D R Meghashree provided crucial assurances to the aggrieved families. She promised that in the next District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) meeting, a revised list incorporating the excluded families would be prepared and forwarded to the government for approval. Additionally, she committed to addressing the issue of writing off bank loans in Monday's banking review meeting, ensuring that representatives of the disaster victims would be included in these discussions to advocate for their interests.
Resolution and Future Steps
Following these assurances from the district administration, the families decided to call off their protest, expressing hope that their concerns would be addressed promptly. The incident underscores ongoing challenges in post-disaster management and highlights the need for transparent and inclusive rehabilitation processes to support vulnerable communities in times of crisis.
