Kerala rights panel seeks report on safety measures at abandoned quarries

T’puram: The state human rights commission (SHRC) has directed the authorities to submit a detailed report within one month on measures proposed to eliminate safety hazards posed by abandoned quarries that have turned into water bodies across the state.

Commission chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas issued the directive to the director of the department of mining and geology. The commission has asked the director to examine the possibility of amending the Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules to make it mandatory for quarry owners or operators to install barricades and warning signs around abandoned quarries that have become water-filled pits. The proposed amendments and their feasibility must be addressed in the report sought.

The order was issued in connection with a suo motu case registered by the commission based on media reports regarding the death of a young model who drowned in an unused quarry pond at Mudakkuzha in Ernakulam.

Justice Thomas also directed that an inquiry into the incident be conducted under the supervision of the district collector. The revenue divisional officer (RDO) has been asked to lead the investigation with the assistance of the fire and rescue services and the local station house officer (SHO).

The district collector has been instructed to submit a report on the findings of the inquiry along with a detailed explanation to the commission within one month. The secretary of the Mudakkuzha grama panchayat has also been directed to file a separate report.

Additionally, the principal secretary and director of the industries department have been asked to submit independent reports on the matter.

The commission further directed the deputy director of the mining and geology department and the under-secretary of the industries department to appear as govt’s representatives at the commission’s sitting scheduled for July 14.