LDF, UDF Stage Protest In Wayanad Over Lack Of Central Assistance For Landslide Victims

The CPI(M)-led LDF and Congress-led UDF organised separate protests demanding the BJP-led Central government declare the landslide calamity in Wayanad as a national disaster.

The hartal follows a political controversy triggered by a recent letter from the Centre to the Kerala government. (File Photo)

Source : PTI

A dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala's Wayanad district on Tuesday led to widespread shutdowns and disruptions. Shops remained closed, and vehicles were blocked in several areas as political parties voiced their discontent over the lack of Central assistance for landslide survivors.

The CPI(M)-led LDF and Congress-led UDF organised separate protests, demanding the BJP-led Central government declare the landslide calamity in Wayanad as a national disaster, as per a report on PTI. Both fronts emphasised the need for immediate financial aid and support for relief and rehabilitation efforts.

LDF, UDF Hartal In Wayanad

In many parts of Wayanad, hartal supporters obstructed vehicles causing significant traffic disruptions. Police provided escorts for state-run KSRTC buses to ensure minimal disruption to public transport while private vehicles were seen operating in reduced numbers.

Tensions briefly flared in Lakdi, where UDF workers clashed with police over vehicle blockades. Both the LDF and UDF announced plans to conduct protest marches across key locations in the district later in the day.

The LDF accused the Central government of withholding assistance for political reasons suggesting an underlying bias against Kerala. The UDF criticised the state’s Left government for failing to adequately address the ongoing struggles of landslide victims.

VIDEO | #Kerala: UDF and LDF have given a strike call in Wayanad to protest the alleged failure of the administration to secure central assistance for the region following the landslide tragedy. #Wayanad

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/xHGlDftCrO

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 19, 2024

The hartal follows a political controversy triggered by a recent letter from the Centre to the Kerala government. The letter stated that existing guidelines under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) do not permit the declaration of any calamity as a "national disaster."

The July 30 landslide wreaked havoc across three villages—Punchirimattam, Chooralmala, and Mundakkai—and parts of Attamala. Official data reveals that the tragedy claimed 231 lives, while 47 individuals remain unaccounted for. Survivors have reportedly struggled with inadequate support for rebuilding their lives months after the disaster.