74-yr-old protests civic inaction

Kochi: A 74-year-old resident staged a protest in front of the city corporation on Friday, alleging official inaction over a persistent drainage and waste issue affecting his home.T N Prathapan, a resident of corporation's 41st division who is also a social activist, launched a stand-in protest under the scorching sun, demanding urgent intervention. He claimed that an adjoining property had encroached on and blocked a public drainage canal, where dogs are reportedly being reared. "Waste from the premises, including animal excreta, is being discharged into the canal, leading to severe blockage," said Prathapan. According to Prathapan, the clogged drain caused rainwater mixed with waste to flow back into his house and that of a neighbouring elderly woman, creating unhygienic living conditions. Despite lodging complaints with the corporation officials for over a month, he alleged that no concrete action has been taken. He is now demanding that the drainage canal be reopened, and the alleged dog-rearing centre be shut down, calling his protest a fight for basic living conditions. "I am protesting to live. If my issue is not solved, I will continue the protest. I am 74 and my wife is 72. Don't we have the right to live?" asked Prathapan.