Tears and determination: Women CPO candidates kneel on rock salt in protest

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kneeling on rock salt in front of the Secretariat, the eyes of the candidates welled up with tears. Even as blood oozed from bruised knees, they refused to stand up.

“We toiled day and night, studied hard, secured ranks on the list, and still this is our fate…” they muttered — not to anyone in particular, but to the world that watched in silence.

The protest by candidates on the Women Civil Police Officer (CPO) rank list has entered its fifth day. They are staging a continuous day-and-night hunger strike in front of the Secretariat. Yesterday, many of them knelt for nearly three hours straight on rock salt, resulting in physical exhaustion.

Binusmitha, a protester from Idukki who had been on hunger strike for five consecutive days, collapsed and was admitted to the General Hospital. Others, like Haneena, Nimisha, and Tasmi, also fainted over the past few days due to fatigue and dehydration. Yesterday, Athira and Megha joined the hunger strike. Even the heavy rains in the evening did not dampen their spirit — they stood trembling under a raised tarpaulin, still chanting slogans.

The alternating heat and rain have been taking a toll on their physical health. Despite the harsh conditions, no government doctor has visited to check on their health. According to the candidates, no representative from either the government or the opposition has come to meet them or listen to their concerns.

The rank list is set to expire on the 19th of this month. Out of 967 candidates on the list, only 259 have received appointment recommendations so far. The candidates say that despite repeatedly visiting various offices to report vacancies, nothing has come of their efforts.