Contaminated Water Cannons Ignite Political Row in Kerala Assembly
Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan protested in the Kerala Assembly, displaying water allegedly used by police to disperse student protesters. He cited health risks like cholera, while Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala promised a full investigation into the source of the contamination.
Highlights
- •Pinarayi Vijayan brought a sample of contaminated water to the Kerala Assembly to protest police tactics.
- •The water was used by police to disperse AISF and AIYF protesters demonstrating against the PM Shri scheme.
- •Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced that water samples have been sent for laboratory testing.
- •Opposition leaders expressed grave concerns regarding potential health risks like cholera and the Shigella virus.
In a dramatic turn of events within the Kerala Assembly, the issue of contaminated water cannons has emerged as a significant political point of contention. On Monday, Pinarayi Vijayan, the leader of the opposition, brought a sample of allegedly polluted water into the legislative house to highlight concerns regarding police conduct during recent public demonstrations.
The water in question was reportedly used by the police to disperse activists from the All India Students Federation (AISF) and the All India Youth Federation (AIYF). These individuals had gathered to protest against the PM Shri scheme in front of the assembly building. Pinarayi Vijayan raised alarm over the potential health risks, specifically mentioning the danger of water-borne illnesses such as cholera and the Shigella virus, given the state of the liquid dispensed by the police.
Political Debate Over Police Tactics and Public Safety
The opposition leader urged the government to address these health safety concerns with urgency and to implement necessary corrective measures. In response to these claims, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala defended the authorities, noting that water cannons have been a standard tool for crowd control in Kerala for some time. He also reminded the opposition of past instances during their tenure where similar force was utilized against demonstrators.
Ramesh Chennithala explained that while the water was sourced from a Kerala Water Authority (KWA) facility, it is possible that an older tanker was used in the process. He emphasized that the use of contaminated water was not a deliberate act and pledged that the situation would be investigated thoroughly. The City Police Commissioner has been instructed to send samples of the water to a government laboratory for rigorous testing to determine the nature of the contamination.
Former Revenue Minister and CPI leader K Rajan, who had led the inaugural protest by the AISF and AIYF, dismissed suggestions of fear regarding police action. He maintained that his party organizations are prepared to face such measures, yet expressed shock at the state of the water, which he noted was so severe that it visibly discolored the clothing of the protesters.
Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, who remarked on his own previous experiences of encountering water cannons during his political career, confirmed that the assembly would hold further discussions on the matter once the official laboratory findings are presented. This incident continues to serve as a flashpoint for debate regarding both the methods used in crowd control and the basic welfare of citizens during public protests across the state.
