Idukki: A fine of Rs 1000 and hundred times imposition writing was given to college students who threw food waste near the drinking water source at Arakulam in Alinchuvadu area. This punishment was meted out by the Arakulam panchayat. The students were asked to write ‘I will not throw garbage in public places again’ for hundred times.

The students were let go after writing the imposition at the panchayat office and paying a fine of Rs 1000. The panchayat had earlier issued a notice asking the students to pay a fine of Rs 10,000. The fine was reduced to one-tenth of this amount and imposition writing when the students made an application saying they could not afford to pay the hefty fine.

Those who saw the students throwing garbage on their bikes recorded it on video and circulated it on social media. The panchayat took action after the district ‘Green Kerala Mission’ brought the video to its attention. The garbage was dumped near a water source that provides drinking water for more than 100 families.