Landslide victims allege lapses in rehabilitation list preparation

Frustrated over repeated errors, demand its immediate cancellation; blames govt, officials

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Kalpetta

VICTIMS of the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslides in Meppadi panchayat of Wayanad district have alleged gross official negligence in preparing the beneficiary list for rehabilitation. They expressed frustration over repeated errors in the list and demanded its immediate cancellation. The victims criticised the government and officials for failing to address their grievances or visit the affected areas for proper investigation.

Aysha, a resident of Mundakkai, lost land in a tea estate her mother had toiled on for 30 years. Her house was also partially destroyed in the landslide. Currently living in a rented house in Munderi, Aysha revealed that despite informing authorities about her uninhabitable home, her name was excluded from the beneficiary list in the first phase. She expressed doubts about being included in the second phase and said, "The government is not listening to us. Only if they listen can we say something."