No wall will be permitted at Vadayambadi: Collector Mohammed Y Safirulla

KOCHI: The construction of wall or any other structure at Bhajanamadam in Vadayambadi, the site of a Dalit agitation for more than an year, will not be allowed, said Ernakulam district collector Mohammad Saffirulla. Speaking to reporters on Saturday after holding discussions with various political and community leaders, he said the board and the agitation pandal would be removed from the Bhajanamadam.

All the rights enjoyed by the local people in the past would be maintained. The freedom to walk and use the open ground for sports activities and other gathering will be preserved, he added. The collector held the meeting even as the Dalit Bhusamrakshna Samithi is holding a Self-respect Convention at Vadayambadi on Sunday. Many prominent personalities from different walks from across the state are scheduled to attend the convention. The convention was called in to protest the police action against those on a hunger strike at Bhajanmadam on December 21 and arrest of two mediapersons who arrived to report the event.

According to the district collector, public functions and celebrations at the ground will be allowed after obtaining prior permission from the district administration. He said the matter connected with the title deed of the place is under the consideration of the court and the decision of the court will be implemented. The collector also said that representatives of political parties and community organisations who took part in the discussions have promised to not hold any protests in the area.

He said legal action would be taken in connection with the law and order issues developed in the area. Stating that demands of the people on agitation have been approved, the collector said external forces would not be allowed to take advantage of the situation. However, he said that the police has not been informed about the Self-respect Convention. He also said that although an invitation was sent to Dalit Bhusamrakashna Samithi, its activists did not attend the meeting.