Kerala - Kochi   

Unruly scenes at council meeting

Staff Reporter

Mayor's statement on garbage removal irks Opposition

HOUSE IN DISORDER: Agitated councillors raising slogans outside the office of the Corporation of Kochi on Saturday, after an Opposition member was reportedly roughed up by ruling party members when the council meeting was on. Photo: Vipinchandran

KOCHI: Discussions on garbage removal led to unruly scenes at the corporation council meeting here on Saturday.

The trouble erupted when the Opposition led by A.B. Sabu demanded the resignation of Mayor Mercy Williams, when the latter told the council that garbage removal had already resumed.

When the UDF councillors rushed towards the Mayor's chair, the LDF councillors tried to stop them. In the melee that followed, K.X. Francis, UDF councillor, was injured. He was, later, admitted to the General Hospital.

The Mayor dismissed the meeting at this point. The UDF councillors protested in front of the Mayor's chamber and corporation office.

In a press release issued later, C.K. Manisankar, Deputy Mayor, said the UDF councillors were pre-planned to kick up a row. This was evident from the fact that while only print media personnel came for covering council meeting, electronic media and photographers were present for Saturday's meeting.

The issue was caused to cover up the indignation of UDF councillors on finding that garbage movement had resumed, contrary to their accusations, Mr. Manisankar said.

The construction of the road to Brahmapuram waste treatment plant began and works on the biogas plants at Ernakulam market and Kaloor slaughterhouse were progressing. Works were nearing completion in four divisions for installing biological treatment plants for garbage processing. Besides all these, two companies were given contract to remove garbage, he said. In another release, E.M. Sunil Kumar, chairman, Town Planning Standing Committee, said that whereas all councillors were expected to stand united in the issue of garbage, some of them were politicising the issue.

The district committee of All India Janadhipatya Mahila Association held a march in the city protesting against the alleged attempt to assault the Mayor. In a release, Gopi Kottamurikkal, district secretary, CPI(M), condemned the stand taken by UDF councillors on the issue.

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