The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Amboori: a living memorial to a tragedy

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 09, 2006
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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Amboori: a living memorial to a tragedy

Special Correspondent

Fifth anniversary of the landslip today

Thiruvananthapuram: The Amboori panchayat, a suburban area in the Neyyattinkara taluk, is preparing to observe the fifth anniversary of the devastating landslip which claimed 39 lives and displaced more than a 100 people.

It was at 8.45 p.m. on November 9, 2001, that a portion of the Kurisumala hill came crashing down in heavy rain, crushing to death the people in four houses located in the downhill areas. The tragedy claimed the lives of 24 persons belonging to a single household who had gathered at a house for a betrothal ceremony scheduled to be held the next day at the local church.

Scores of houses were damaged in the landslip. Cash crops, including rubber, were also washed away, resulting in huge loss for the farmers.

Police and Fire and Rescue Services personnel worked for almost 48 hours to retrieve 38 bodies from tonnes of mud and boulders. One body was never recovered.

The then Chief Minister A.K. Antony and his Cabinet colleagues had visited the disaster site and announced a rehabilitation programme for the families displaced by the landslip. Amboori panchayat president Lali John said the previous United Democratic Front (UDF) Government had failed to honour its commitment.

"The assistance programme was bogged down by the lack of adequate funds. Apart from 13 houses constructed by the traders' association, there has been no effort to help the affected people. A proposal to build 100 houses with Central Government assistance also failed to take off," she said.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan who visited Amboori last month promised to improve the living conditions of the local people.

Ashok Kumar, a driver mechanic at the Fire and Rescue Station, Chengalchoola, who was at the forefront of the rescue operations, feels that a memorial to the victims should have been erected at the site.

In recognition of his brave effort, the Government announced a cash award of Rs.5,000. Mr. Kumar contributed the prize money as an endowment to St. George HSS to help a poor student.

The Amboori panchayat is organising a low-key function on Thursday to remember the victims of the tragedy.

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