The government has only functioned as a distributing body for emergency aid and work for the long term relief promised to the affected people has not yet begun. Mounting frustration and anger among the affected people have resulted in the creation of a forum – The Tsumani Affected People's Forum and the subsequent talks held with political leaders yielded no fruit. The forum, a non-party collective of the affected people, decided to go on an agitation to press for their demands.
On 10 February 2005, thousands of people from the relief camps gathered at the state highway and held a public meeting to protest against the government apathy. Fourteen innocent people from relief camps were rounded up by the police and beaten up in custody. Later, ten of them were released and 4 of them are still in Jail.
These traumatised victims of a disaster have again become victims of government apathy and police violence. They have no recourse to any political help whatsoever as the forum is a non-political collective of the affected people. In other states affected by the tsunami, the victims are already leading normal lives while over 16000 people in Kerala are still languishing in tents and makeshift shelters.
The government claims that it has spent 97 crores towards rehabilitation work but none of this is visible. Restoration and repair of fishing boats and engines damaged by the tsunami has not yet begun and the people are still without any means of livelihood. Drinking water facilities are not available for children in affected schools and schools have poor attendance. People still form long queues for food and health and sanitation in the camps are poor.
This agitation is a struggle by the marginalised people against government apathy. We request you to do whatever you can to support the struggle. We request you to send protest letters to the Chief Minister of Kerala:
cmkerala@vsnl.net.in> and copy to:
Maglin Peter (09447154491)
Secretary
Kerala Fisherpeople's Relief Forum
shambhu@bigfoot.com The following are the demands put forward by the Tsunami Affected People’s Forum of Alappad Panchayat, Karunagapally, Kerala before the Chief Minister Sri. Oommen Chandy. The CM summarily rejected these demands and hence the forum has decided to resort to agitation measures against the government attitude.
1. For the next of kin of the people killed by the Tsunami, a compensation of Rs. 500,000; for those who have suffered disability, Rs. 100,000; for those who suffered grievous injury, Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 25,000 for those who were injured.
2. All the people now housed in relief camps to be shifted to temporary shelters before 31 January 2005. Each of these families should be given a sum of Rs. 3000 per month and be provided food rations free of cost.
3. For all those who lost their dwellings, new and strong houses worth Rs. 500,000
4. One government job to be provided in the families of every person who lost their lives.
5. The maintenance work on damaged houses to be completed before 31 January 2005.
6. All construction work should be in consultation with the sub committees of the forum.
7. The replacement of livelihood equipment for all persons who lost the same and to restore normal working conditions.
8. To create schemes for the employment of women.
9. To assess accurately the damage inflicted upon household articles and institutions in the affected areas and to provide appropriate compensation.
10. An additional grant of Rs. 2000 to be issued to all the affected families.
11. All relief benefits from the Department of Fisheries to reach all the families of fishermen.
12. To write off all loans of the affected people and provide electricity and water free of cost for at least three months
13. To remove the effects of salt-water incursion from the affected areas and wells and to remove the salinity of the topsoil.
14. To establish treatment plants for providing fresh drinking water supply on a 24 hour basis.
15. The road from Vellanathuruthu to Azheekkal to be repaired immediately and adequate roads to be laid in the affected area.
16. All electric lines and streetlights to be renewed.
17. Free travel concession passes for the students from the affected areas.
18. The work for a bridge from Azheekkal to Ayiramthengu to be started immediately.
19. A hundred bed government hospital to be constructed at Alappad Panchayat at the earliest.
20. Break waters to be constructed along with the sea wall at 50 meter intervals.
21. To stop the environmentally harmful (black) sand mining prevalent in the area.
22. To construct a memorial for those who lost their lives at Azheekkal.
23. To complete the construction of the Azheekkal fishing harbour.
24. The section of the TS canal in the affected area to be cleaned up
25. To publish the actual list of villages affected by the tsunami
26. To bring about transparency, accountability and effectiveness in all government relief operations and activities
V Sasikumar
Convenor