Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 8: The KSHRC on Wednesday ordered an investigation into allegations that the July 7 landslide in Wayanad occurred due to gross negligence on the part of the Anakkompoyil-Meppadi tunnel project implementing company and government departments.
The landslide, which occurred near the project site, claimed three lives and injured several others, while five persons remain missing.
The Kerala State Human Rights Commission’s judicial member, K Byjunath, directed the Wayanad district collector and the public works superintending engineer (roads) to conduct an investigation and submit a comprehensive report within 15 days.
The case will be considered at a sitting to be held at the Bathery Municipal Town Hall on August 14, the commission said.
The direction came on a complaint filed by advocate V Devadas, who claimed that the landslide was caused by construction work continuing despite warnings during the onset of the monsoon.
The complainant has demanded that an independent investigation be carried out into the incident and that action under criminal law be taken against those responsible.
He has sought compensation for the next of kin of the victims.
Devadas has further sought that mining activities in the area be stopped in view of the adverse weather conditions and that the victims be rehabilitated.
He has called for the formulation of a state-wide safety protocol to prevent such incidents from recurring.(PTI)
