Look into demands of woman protesting mining: Jairam Ramesh to Oommen Chandy

NEW DELHI: Union minister Jairam Ramesh today asked Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to take steps to end the "pitiable plight" of a woman from Kerala who is protesting at Jantar Mantar here seeking action against sand mining mafia in the state.

In a personal letter to Chandy, Ramesh said that Jazeera's demand has "merit" as she is opposing illegal sand mining.

She is accompanied by her three young children and they have been sitting on a 'dharna' at Jantar Mantar since Monday.

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

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

Ramesh's letter came a day after National Human Rights Commission took 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.

The Commission has also issued notice to Kerala Government over media reports about the woman's protest.

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.