KOCHI: Opposition members of the city corporation council demanded a judicial inquiry into the Fort Kochi boat tragedy. The council’s commemorative meeting on the boat mishap witnessed noisy scenes as the opposition members protested and shouted slogans against mayor Tony Chammany for not convening a special session on the boat accident.
Mr Chammany had called for a special session on the Brahmapuram solid waste treatment plant after the commemorative meeting which triggered a strong protest.
Opposition councillors demanded that the special session should be on the boat tragedy and the safety features of ferry boats and not on the long-drawn out Brahmapuram plant.
Though Opposition members rushed to the well of the House, the mayor was not ready to accept their demand. Amid sloganeering and uproar, the mayor announced that the meeting was adjourned.
Later, Opposition members gheraoed the mayor in his chamber demanding a judicial inquiry. For more than 40 minutes, the mayor’s office witnessed high drama as ruling and opposition members engaged in heated arguments. There were allegations that UDF councillor Gracy Joseph beat Sunila Selvan, an LDF member.
Despite the noisy scenes and protest, Mr Chammany was not ready to accept the demands of the opposition.
Meanwhile, the CPM leader in the council, K.J Jacob, said that the opposition would continue the protest until an independent inquiry was ordered. He also alleged that the contractor of the ill-fated ferry boat was a benami of K.V Thomas MP and only a judicial probe would reveal the truth “If the Mayor is not willing to recommend an independent inquiry, he should resign,” demanded the CPM leader.
