Residents of Valantakad Island, led by the Left Democratic Front (LDF), took to the streets in a march and dharna to express their discontent with the Maradu municipal authorities’ failure to address the acute shortage of clean water on the island, which has persisted for eight months. The situation took a distressing turn when Rashmi Sanil, the municipal council vice-chairman and division councillor, collapsed during the strike and was subsequently admitted to the hospital. Doctors have recommended a week of rest for her recovery.
The incident occurred on January 30 during a municipal council meeting where Rashmi Sanil, who relies on a pacemaker, collapsed amidst the ongoing discussion about the water crisis. The LDF Parliamentary Party leader, C.R. Shahnawas, inaugurated the strike, with K.A. Devasi presiding over the protest. Notable figures such as M.P. Sunilkumar, C.N. Vipin, M.P. Murali, and Disha Prathapan addressed the gathering, highlighting the pressing need for a resolution to the water scarcity issue.
LDF leaders announced their intention to meet with the collector to find a solution to the crisis. They condemned the tensions in the municipal council resulting from the struggle for clean water. Criticizing the municipality’s approach, LDF leaders stated that a strike in front of the water authority would have been more appropriate. They claimed that the water shortage issue had been reported to the water authorities, prompting high-ranking officials to visit the island and initiate full-speed pumping.
Despite these efforts, the municipality has offered to bear the cost of replacing pipes on the island if the water shortage persists. A team of assistant executive engineers and expert workers from Kollam arrived to inspect the pipes drawn through the river for potential leaks. The strike, according to Anthony Ashanparampil, Maradu Municipality Chairman, is viewed as a political maneuver by the CPM, placing islanders at the forefront of the issue.
As tensions rise, the residents of Valantakad Island await a resolution to their water woes, hoping that the intervention of higher authorities will bring relief to their long-standing struggle for access to clean water.
arun564