Allegations of negligence and flawed investigation have been raised against the Suthamalli police and revenue officials following a 37-day delay in addressing complaints about the dumping of biomedical, food, plastic, and other waste from Kerala in the villages of Kodaganallur and Palavoor.
The issue first emerged on 11 November 2024, when J. Santhanam, a private farm supervisor overseeing the patta land where the waste was initially dumped, filed a complaint with the Suthamalli police. Despite escalating the matter to the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) and later to the Chief Minister’s Special Cell on 2 December 2024, no action was taken.
Even after assurances from an officer from the CM’s Special Cell, the police reportedly remained inactive. Only after significant public and media pressure did the police register two cases on 16 December 2024, based on complaints by Santhanam and Palavoor VAO Sayed Ali.
Santhanam reported being coerced by the police to amend his complaint. He claimed he was asked to state that no waste had been dumped on his land until 28 November 2024, contradicting his earlier complaints. Additionally, the FIR omitted references to biomedical waste, despite evidence showing hazardous materials such as syringes, used blood-sample containers, and blood-stained cotton at the sites.
The police’s delayed response has been criticized by locals and activists, who argue that this inaction enabled the continued dumping of waste, resulting in significant pollution of the soil and water bodies in the area.
The inaction contrasts sharply with the proactive measures taken in similar situations by officers such as the late Inspector Ayyappan, who actively intercepted and prevented the burning of Kerala waste during his tenure as SHO of Alangulam police station. Other officers, like Inspector Maheshkumar, have also been praised for making several arrests in connection with waste-related offenses.
37 days of negligence by Suthamalli police and VAOs led to the dumping of more loads of #KeralaWaste. Flawed FIR?
J Santhanam, supervisor of the patta land where the first load of #KeralaWaste was dumped, filed a complaint with Suthamalli police on November 11. Police allegedly… pic.twitter.com/4DjCJDJYvV— Thinakaran Rajamani (@thinak_) December 18, 2024
Local political parties, including the AIADMK, BJP, NTK, and SDPI, have strongly condemned the incident. NTK functionaries have petitioned the district administration, demanding the removal of the waste and the arrest of the culprits.
The BJP criticized the state government, alleging a lack of action against the dumping and its impact on Tamil Nadu. Political leaders have called for stricter measures to address the issue and prevent future incidents.
Tirunelveli Superintendent of Police N. Silambarasan has assured an inquiry into the police’s initial inaction, while District Collector Dr. K.P. Karthikeyan stated that the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and rural development department are analyzing the waste to handle it appropriately. Strict criminal action against those responsible is being planned in line with government directives.
The waste, which includes biomedical and other hazardous materials, poses a significant threat to the local environment. Activists and residents have demanded urgent action to prevent further pollution and to ensure accountability for the mismanagement of the complaints and subsequent investigations.
(With inputs from TNIE)
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