Human Rights Commission orders probe into crisis at Edamalakkudy tribal panchayat

KOCHI: The Kerala Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has ordered an urgent inquiry into the administrative crisis at Edamalakkudy, Kerala's only tribal panchayat, following a Kerala Kaumudi report that revealed that the panchayat had not received grant and plan funds for the past six months. The Commission directed the Idukki District Collector, the Munnar Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), and the Joint Director of the Local Self-Government Department to conduct an investigation and submit a report before August 7.

The action was taken by KHRC Chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas, based on a complaint filed by writer K.P. Subhash Chandran, citing the report published by Kerala Kaumudi. The Commission has also asked officials to investigate allegations that the Forest Department has been delaying or blocking basic development works in the remote tribal panchayat. The complaints include obstacles to projects related to drinking water, electricity, transport, housing, and toilet construction.

The funding crisis has affected 12 anganwadis, where the supply of nutritious food for children has been disrupted. Edamalakkudy Panchayat, located about 32 km from Munnar inside a dense forest, was formed in November 2010. It consists of 28 tribal settlements. Due to the lack of funds, panchayat employees have not been paid their salaries. Although Rs 50 lakh was deposited with the KSEB, electricity lines have still not been extended to seven tribal settlements. In 2023, the Scheduled Tribes Development Department sanctioned Rs 13.7 crore for the construction of a 7.5-km concrete road, but work has not yet started. Medical emergencies remain a major challenge, as patients must be carried for nearly 8 km through the forest before they can reach a motorable road.