Rights panel orders rehabilitation after Vaniyampuzha tribal families spend 7 years in plastic tents

The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has mandated urgent rehabilitation for Paniya tribal families residing in temporary tarpaulin shelters at Vaniyampuzha, situated across the Chaliyar river in Munderi of Pothukal panchayat, Nilambur taluk. These 26 families have been enduring the harsh conditions of plastic tents since the August 2019 floods destroyed their homes.

Judicial member K. Baijunath of the commission has instructed the Malappuram Collector and the Scheduled Tribes Development Department Project Officer to furnish a report within a week regarding the rehabilitation steps taken, the current situation, and the planned actions to finalize the process within a set timeframe. Despite the floods causing the destruction of two concrete bridges connecting the tribal settlements across the Chaliyar near Munderi seven years ago, one bridge has since been rebuilt and is awaiting its inauguration.

The commission registered a suo motu case after a thorough report in The Hindu on September 11 shed light on the living conditions of the tribal families. The commission expressed deep concern over the fact that the affected families had not been granted permanent rehabilitation seven years post the disaster. It highlighted that the absence of basic amenities and their continued residence in temporary shelters had infringed upon their right to live with dignity and access to safe housing.

The commission has directed the authorities to take immediate steps to relocate the families to secure, permanent residential facilities. The case will be deliberated at the commission's meeting at PWD Rest House in Tirur on September 23.