SHRC orders probe into Pullampara quarry blasts, seeks vibration tests and SEIAA clearance check

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has ordered the district collector to initiate an immediate inquiry into complaints regarding safety concerns arising from a quarry near Pullampara. The commission has designated the deputy collector in charge of disaster management to lead the investigation.
Chairperson Alexander Thomas has told the collector that the inquiry should address allegations that explosions from the quarry have caused cracks to appear in nearby homes. He instructed that the report be submitted within six weeks and that it include verification of whether the quarry holds valid clearance from the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) to operate.
Additionally, the commission has asked the Pullampara grama panchayat secretary and the district environmental engineer to participate in the site examination. Authorities are also required to notify local residents, including the complainant, Dr S Anas, who raised concerns about the safety of families living nearby.
The collector has told the commission that Dr Anas resides within 150 metres of the quarry and he has confirmed the presence of cracks in his home. The quarry owner has been directed to conduct blasting and vibration tests through a government-approved agency to determine if the damage is attributable to the quarry's operations.
Residents of Pullampara have alleged that panchayat secretary P Sunilkumar renewed the quarry's permit for an additional year without the approval of the governing committee. Approximately 50 homes in the area are at risk due to their location on a vulnerable slope, with at least 15 already showing signs of cracking. Last year, a landslide from the quarry area destroyed two houses, though seven people, including four children, were rescued in time.
Panchayat president P V Rajesh has claimed that Sunilkumar bypassed democratic processes in extending the permit and has indicated that legal action will follow. Under an interim order from the Kerala High Court, the quarry's permit is valid only until May 26, 2025. Local residents have accused the quarry management of using a 2018 Environmental Clearance with misleading information regarding the distance to residential areas to secure permit extensions.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Time of India

29 minutes ago

• Time of India

Karnataka rehabilitation centres booked for wrongful confinement & poor conditions

Bengaluru: Following a surprise raid by State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres in north Bengaluru, Madanayakanahalli police have registered multiple FIRs based on serious allegations of wrongful confinement and poor treatment of inmates, including minors. The SHRC's action came in response to a tip-off from a regional news channel that exposed deplorable conditions in several rehab facilities. On June 18, SHRC teams raided five rehabilitation centres across Dasanapura and Adakamaranahalli. While one facility was found compliant and another was shut, three centres — Mother Ammu Foundation, Belaku Social Service Society, and Unity Social Service Society — were found operating in violation of basic human rights and regulatory norms. Acting on complaints received from inmates, the police have registered three FIRs and four non-cognisable reports (NCRs) against these centres. Among the complaints are those from two minors — a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old — both of whom were allegedly confined without due process. A case under Section 127 of BNS, pertaining to wrongful confinement, has been registered against Unity Social Service Society, following a complaint by Krishnegowda (50), a resident of Sanjay Nagar. He alleged he was forcibly confined in the centre by his wife and relatives due to an ongoing property dispute. Krishnegowda, a marketing executive in the solar water heater industry, claimed his family members falsely labelled him an addict to gain control over a property in Laggere. According to his complaint, he was confined at the centre in Dec 2023 and was held there until SHRC's raid. He further alleged he was previously confined in another centre in 2011 under similar circumstances, and his family had sold his vehicles and gold ornaments without his consent. In two separate cases involving minors, the police have booked the centres and parents under BNS Section 127 and relevant provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. One of the minors, a 17-year-old from Nagashettyhalli, stated in his complaint that he had discontinued studies after Class 10 and was admitted to Unity Social Service Society on June 6 by his single mother due to substance abuse issues. While the boy said he was treated decently and not assaulted, he maintained he was confined against his will. The second case involves a 16-year-old boy from Banashankari, who had reportedly run away from home in April after his parents discussed enrolling him in a rehab centre. He was admitted to Unity in May after recovering from a road accident. He, too, alleged wrongful confinement. The SHRC has confirmed that its investigation wing is conducting a parallel inquiry and will soon submit a detailed report. The Commission has directed local police to ensure strict enforcement of norms at de-addiction and rehabilitation centres, particularly those admitting individuals without court orders or proper medical assessments. Police officials said more cases may be filed depending on the findings of the SHRC and statements from additional victims.

The Hindu

3 days ago

• The Hindu

Following SHRC raid, police register FIRs against rehab centres in Bengaluru for illegal detention, physical abuse, and harassment

Following a series of raids carried out by the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on five rehab centres allegedly involved in serious violations, as many as three FIRS have been filed against the accused charging them under wrongful confinement and harassment to the inmates under the garb of treatment. One of the victims who was rescued, identified as Krishne Gowda, 50, alleged that his wife Asha, her father Anand, and a relative Kiran forcibly admitted him to the centre on false grounds to stop him from attending court hearings related to a long-standing property dispute. He alleged that he has been confined at the centre since December 2023 despite being mentally fit and never addicted to substances. In another statement recorded on Thursday evening, a youth told police that he was sent to the same rehab centre by his mother in the first week of June due to addiction of mobile games and behavioural issues. Based on the complaint, the police have registered a case of illegal confinement under the Juvenile Justice Act for further investigation. .Officials said many of the detainees were non-addicted individuals, held without proper medical oversight or legal process.

New Indian Express

14-06-2025

• New Indian Express

SHRC holds final hearing in multiple police atrocity cases, reserves orders

TIRUNELVELI: State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) member V Kannadasan on Friday conducted the final hearing on multiple cases of alleged police atrocities, including the sexual harassment of a woman from Kanniyakumari, the custodial torture of a Thoothukudi man who later died, and the custodial violence against a man from Erwadi in Tirunelveli. The orders in these cases have been reserved. In a case relating to the alleged custodial torture of one Selvakumar at the Erwadi police station, Kannadasan criticised sub-inspector V Immanuel and constable L Muthukumar for being unaware of CCTV camera footage retention norms. Immanuel, who had suggested the existence of surveillance footage during cross-examination, said the same was unavailable during the final hearing. The police personnel said they had been instructed, after the Sathankulam custodial deaths, to maintain surveillance footage for six months. However, Kannadasan pointed out that the rulings of the Supreme Court and High Court, along with a directive from the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police, mandate that the footage be stored for 12 to 18 months. Selvakumar's counsel accused the police personnel of filing a false case and alleged that the SI and the constable had assaulted the victim for approaching the High Court to secure bail.