KOZHIKODE: Of the seven cholera cases reported from Thengilakkadavu in Mavoor, one more case has been confirmed taking the total number to three. All the seven afflicted migrant labourers admitted to the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital have been discharged. “All of the suspicious cases were observed double the quarantine period. The discharge was after plugging loopholes of the possibility of them spreading the bacteria,” said additional district medical officer Dr Ashadevi.
Meanwhile, the Mavoor grama panchayat on Tuesday extended the ultimatum to the illegal stayers to leave in 15 days. “The site inspection is going on. Premises are being checked and those quarters flouting the rules are sealed on the spot,” said panchayat president C. Muneerath. She admitted that the panchayat had no statistics on the migrant population. “It is a difficult task," she said. "A migrant labourer often returns from his native place bringing four or five new persons.”
Besides the health aspect, there is a blatant violation of several panchayat laws including the Lodging Houses Occupant Maintenance Act of 1940. “The owner of the building doesn’t have any identity card of the migrant labourer. Criminal elements can easily make hideouts in such illegal camps,” said a source. Health officials who visited the spot also admit that the situation was slipping out of control. “It should be a joint effort by the health, labour and police departments and the panchayat. The local agents are fleecing these migrants and making quick money,” said a health official. The people associated with sand smuggling are also allegedly agents recruiting migrants.
