Kerala - Kollam   

Protests against alleged neglect of pre-matric hostel

KOLLAM: The alleged neglect on part of the authorities of the Pre-Matric Boys Hostel for scheduled communities that resulted in many of the inmates contracting serious skin diseases invited widespread protests in the city on Wednesday.

The plight of the hostel was exposed by activists of the Students Federation of India (SFI) on Tuesday. The Kollam East Police registered a case against the hostel authorities.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (Kollam) C.G. Suresh Kumar said the police had already started investigation and if the hostel authorities were found responsible for the situation, criminal offences would be charged against them.

On Wednesday morning, a group of SFI activists led by State secretary A.M. Shamsir and activists of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) led by its State secretary T.V. Rajesh barged into the hostel complex and gheraoed the warden.

Slogans were shouted against the warden holding him responsible for the neglect of the hostel which led to the inmates contracting the disease. A strong police force was present at the scene. A little later, another group of DYFI and SFI activists marched to the hostel.

The demonstrators then held a dharna in front of the hostel. The dharna was inaugurated by Mr. Rajesh. The demonstration was later called off following an assurance from Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Communities A.K. Balan that necessary action would be taken. Simultaneously, a group of SFI and DYFI activists gheraoed District Tribal Development Officer Rajeshwari at her office at Punalur. As the demonstrators raised slogans, Ms. Rajeshwari fainted. The police then arrested and removed the demonstrators. Ms. Rajeshwari was provided immediate medical attention.

At a press conference here, Mr. Rajesh said the DYFI and the SFI would conduct a State-wide inspection of the condition of all tribal hostels.

The Kerala Students Union (KSU) and Youth Congress activists led by its district president C.R. Mahesh marched to the Kollam Corporation office to register their protest against the plight of the hostel. They were blocked by a police force. Meanwhile, a team of doctors led by District Medical Officer Pauly John examined the inmates of the hostel on Wednesday and diagnosed that 12 had contracted scabies.

The Tribal Extension Officer at Kollam, Aravindakshan Achary, and hostel warden Raju have been placed under suspension in connection with the issue. Mr. Balan issued the suspension orders late on Wednesday.

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