Date:08/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/08/stories/2009010860950300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Protesters block dumping of waste at Brahmapuram

Staff Reporter

Ire at hospital waste being dumped

Attempts to dump it in Tamil Nadu had failed
Segregated hospital waste to be taken to Palakkad

KOCHI: Tension prevailed at Brahmapuram near here on Wednesday when local residents blocked truckloads of waste brought to the solid waste treatment plant of Kochi Corporation, alleging presence of hospital waste in it.

As the protesters refused to relent, the police stepped in and arrested 28 persons making way for waste dumping. They were later released on bail.

The standoff started around 9 a.m. when 17 trucks filled with waste arrived at the plant, reportedly following failed attempts to dump it in Tamil Nadu.

Locals raised a banner of revolt stating that they would not allow dumping of hospital waste at their doorsteps.

Soon a team led by C.K. Prakash, Tahsildar, Kunnathunadu taluk, and V.M. Mohammed Rafeeque, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Thrikkakkara, arrived at the scene.

In talks held with the Tahsildar, the protestors demanded that the waste be taken to Padiyathukulam, the temporary dumping yard of the Corporation in the city. They said that only the segregated waste devoid of hospital waste would be permitted to be dumped at the plant at Brahmapuram.

Mr. Prakash reminded the protestors that there was a court order against dumping waste at Padiyathukulam.

It was also pointed out that sending back the trucks was not feasible and that the dumping yard did not have the facility to segregate 17 truckloads of waste.

As the protesters refused to budge, the police arrested and removed them.

The waste had been placed on the plant premises by laying polythene covers to prevent it from permeating into the soil, District Collector M. Beena said.

An understanding had been reached with the local residents that the waste would be segregated with the assistance of the Pollution Control Board and Indian Medical Association. Hospital waste would then be moved to the Common Bio Medical Waste Treatment and Disposal Facility of IMA at Kanjikode in Palakkad, it is learnt.

Nisar Ibrahim, standing committee chairman, Vadavucode Block Panchayat, said that if the understanding was not honoured immediately the action council would hold a meeting on Thursday and decide on strong protest measures.