KALPETTA: “They shamed me publically. I couldn’t even get out of my house. I got fired from my job and nobody even cared to hear my response. I am also a tribal.” These are the words of Mahesh Kumar (26), a tribal promoter. He faced punitive action for allegedly denying an ambulance for ferrying the body of an elderly tribal woman Chundamma to the crematorium. Chundamma was an inmate of the Four Cent Colony in Wayanad Edavaka Panchayat.

Mahesh:

"Chundamma died at eight o'clock on Sunday night. I visited her house Sunday night and Monday morning. The relatives had earlier said that the funeral would be held on Monday at 2 o'clock. However, it was later announced that the final rites would be delayed. Minding this, an ambulance under TDO was sent to Thirunelli with a patient. Another ambulance had also gone to Kozhikode. The ambulance that went to Tirunelli returned immediately. It would have taken just 10 minutes for the ambulance to reach Chundamma’s residence from Mananthavady. But showing no patience, the relatives took her body to the crematorium in an auto-rickshaw. I sense conspiracy in it. Only one side opinion was sought before firing me from the job. It is not acceptable.

The Ward Member, Panchayat President and Governing Body also carry responsibility for arranging the ambulance. They did nothing. An ambulance is available at the local primary health centre and Nallurnad Ambedkar Hospital under the Panchayat. No intervention was made to make it available. Apart from that, two ambulances are under the control of the Muslim League in the panchayat itself. It was also not used. Department Minister O. R. Kelu also voiced my concern about a conspiracy in the incident."

Mahesh resides in Nallurnadu Peechamkode, Kutukuri Unnati. It's only been a year since he joined work. Mahesh and his wife Chithra have two children aged three and three months. Last day, around 100 promoters staged a protest in front of Edavaka panchayat demanding Mahesh's reinstatement. All the tribal promoters of the state are coming in support of Mahesh.

Mahesh Kumar is planning to appeal to the director of the tribal department for reinstatement.