National Green Tribunal arrest warrant for Cheriyamundam panchayat secretary

MALAPPURAM: The National Green Tribunal’s southern zonal bench issued an arrest warrant against secretary of Cheriyamundam Panchayath for not abiding by its order to take action for the protection of Tirur river. The warrant has asked the district police chief to arrest the secretary and produce him before the court on April 24. The secretary had not responded to several requests for a report on pollution in the Tirur-Ponnani river. The tribunal ordered the panchayat to stop the dumping and diversion of hazardous waste to the river in September 2014.

However, the panchayath didn’t initiate any step to execute the order. The panchayat administration also failed to give a proper explanation to the bench, the tribunal said. The secretary can seek bail on a bond of Rs 10,000 which ensures his appearance before the Tribunal on April 24, the order said. Hazardous wastes from various firms in Tirur and nearby areas are still being dumped in the river. “Many people and establishments have built drainages to the river. The local body officials have not taken any action despite order from the Tribunal and requests from activists,” said Alavikutty Eran-hikatt, who approached the Tribunal with complaint.