Kerala rights panel orders urgent rehabilitation of Vaniyampuzha tribal families

The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has directed authorities to move Paniya tribal families out of makeshift tarpaulin shelters at Vaniyampuzha, across the Chaliyar river at Munderi in Pothukal panchayat of Nilambur taluk, and into permanent housing without further delay.

As many as 26 families have been living in plastic tents since the August 2019 floods destroyed their homes. The commission took up the matter on its own after examining the families' living conditions.

Commission judicial member K. Baijunath directed the Malappuram Collector and the Project Officer of the Scheduled Tribes Development Department to submit a report within a week. The report is to cover the rehabilitation measures already taken, the present status of the families and the steps proposed to complete the process within a fixed timeline.

The commission observed that it was seriously concerned that the affected families had still not been given permanent rehabilitation seven years after the disaster. It noted that the absence of basic facilities and their prolonged stay in temporary shelters infringed on their right to live with dignity and their access to safe housing.

Authorities have been asked to take immediate steps to shift the families to safe, permanent residential facilities. The case will come up at the commission's sitting at the PWD Rest House in Tirur on September 23.

The floods had also destroyed two concrete bridges that connected the tribal hamlets across the Chaliyar near Munderi. One of the two has since been rebuilt and is awaiting inauguration.

Children from Vaniyampuzha and neighbouring hamlets attend schools at Munderi, Nettikkulam and Pothukal.