Kalpetta: In a swift turnaround, the UDF-led Kalpetta Municipality was forced to backpedal after facing backlash for demolishing a small eatery run by survivors of the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslide. The move, executed without prior notice early Wednesday, triggered protests and widespread criticism.
The eatery, run by Ayisha and her son Shahid, had been operating for five months near SKMJ Higher Secondary School, with initial approval from municipal authorities. Funded by donations and loans, the family prepared food in compliance with safety norms and ran the business in the evenings without disrupting school activities.
However, citing public complaints about waste disposal, the municipality dismantled their makeshift shed and seized their items, including their pull cart, without any warning.
“We were preparing food and had just bought fresh meat when we learned our shop had been torn down,” said Shahid. “If only they had informed us in advance, we could’ve avoided this loss.”
The emotionally charged eviction led to massive protests by youth organisations and drew media attention, prompting UDF leaders to intervene. Former municipal chairman Mujeeb acknowledged the procedural lapse and demanded compensation for the family.
By evening, the authorities promised to reconstruct the shop, and the agitation was called off after talks with municipal officials.
The episode has reignited conversations about the rights of disaster survivors, street vendors, and the need for humane governance.