Kerala PCC chief meets woman protesting against sand mafia

NEW DELHI: Kerala PCC Chief Ramesh Chennithala today met a woman from Kerala who is staging a sit-in at Jantar Mantar here seeking action against sand mining mafia in the state and said he would ask the UDF government to address her concerns.

"I will ask the state governnment to address the concerns raised by Jazeera," Chennithala said.

The woman is accompanied by her three young children and they have been sitting on a 'dharna' at Jantar Mantar since October 7.

"Steps should be taken to ensure continuation of school education of Jazeera's two daughters," the PCC Chief said.

Chennithala met Jazeera at the protest venue a day after Union minister Jairam Ramesh shot off a letter to Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to take steps to end the "pitiable plight" of the woman.

In a personal letter to Chandy, Ramesh had said that issues raised by Jazeera, who met him, have "merit" as she is opposing illegal sand mining.

"Even though she is bold in her resolve, her personal plight works pitiable," the Minister had said.

Ramesh has also urged the Chief Minister to order a "fair enquiry by an independent and credible authority and take appropriate action" to redress her grievance.

National Human Rights Commission has also taken suo motu cognisance of allegations of illegal sand mining in coastal Kerala.

The Commission has also expressed concern over discontinuation of school education of Jazeera's two daughters, Rizvana (12) and Shifana (10) as they are part of her sit-in agitation.

The NHRC has asked the state government to file a report within two weeks.

Jazeera had protested outside the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram for 64 days, after which Chandy assured her of action. She came to Delhi claiming that Chandy's assurance was not fulfilled.