Residents of Thenkanidiyoor staged a protest on July 3rd against the Gram Panchayat’s mishandling of waste disposal, which has led to ground contamination and water pollution issues in the area. The SLRM unit in Thenkanidiyoor has been accused of dumping harmful chemicals and waste into the ground, covered with mud, which contaminates nearby water sources during the rainy season, posing health risks to the local population.
Shobha D Naik, President of Thenkanidiyoor Gram Panchayat, defended her actions stating the waste accumulation predates her tenure and blamed politically motivated protests due to her ST category presidency. Local residents, including Raja Naik and Sushmitha, voiced concerns over contaminated drinking water and the environmental hazards posed by the SLRM unit’s operations.
The protest highlighted community grievances regarding the sudden burial of surface waste by the Panchayat, affecting underground water quality and causing health issues among residents. Following the protest, police and administrative officials visited the site, promising to address the issue.