Govt showing discrimination towards Pettimudy victims: Dean Kuriakose

Munnar: Congress MP Dean Kuriakose criticised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for not visiting the landslide site at Pettimudy in Idukki. He alleged that the state government showed discrimination while announcing compensation for the victims.

Speaking to the media in Munnar, the MP said that 26 bodies have been recovered and that 45 more are yet to be found. “The search operation is resuming on Saturday. In this situation, the government’s approach and announcements are to be considered as discrimination towards this region,” he added.

The Chief Minister, Governor, Speaker and almost all the minsters in the cabinet visited Karipur following the flight crash. Union Minister V. Muraleedharan also visited Karipur. When the landslide occurred, 82 people were there at Pettimudy. Unofficial records show that 71 are yet to be found. Even after such a disaster, there is discrimination in the government’s approach, the MP alleged.

In Karipur, Rs 10 lakh was announced as compensation to the kin of the deceased. In Pettimudy it was Rs 5 lakh. This is not the time for political controversies and the Karipur plane crash is not to be taken lightly. But if the plane crash victims are given Rs 10 lakh, the landslide victims can expect the same.

“If someone criticises the CM's stance, why is the CM taking it as a political allegation? As a public representative, I cannot accept the discrimination towards the people of Idukki. The CM should change his stance,” Dean Kuriakose said.

Many lives have been lost in a landslide. People expected that the CM would visit them. Pinarayi Vijayan should have visited the spot earlier. The CM must clarify why he did not visit Pettimudy, the MP said.