Thiruvananthapuram: Anger over neglect simmers in Poonthura

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: On Friday, the district administration was expecting the residents of critical containment zones to join them in an aggressive disinfection drive at households. But they were met with a different kind of aggression from the residents, especially those in the Poonthura ward.
The residents of the ward came out in large numbers disregarding social distancing norms for hours. Later in the day, the government relaxed restrictions on shopping hours and fishing activity in the buffer zones surrounding the critical containment zone in an apparent move to prevent the protests from spreading.
According to sources, the residents also stopped a car taking a medical team to AYUSH Centre at Poonthura. They allegedly coughed inside the vehicle when the driver rolled down the window to tell that the team were there only for swab collection. The medical team that was let go after over five minutes has been quarantined.
The protesters were demanding freedom of movement and supply of essential commodities. They alleged strict policing had turned into harassment as even those venturing out to purchases essentials were heckled.
The problems started around 7.30 am when a police team allegedly chased a group of residents, including women, waiting outside a vegetable shop. In response, the people blocked the way of the police vehicle and the altercation got worse with more people turned up. The residents have demanded ration through mobile units of SupplyCo or Consumerfed as small shops in the region were out of stock.
Another concern highlighted by the residents of Poonthura was the alleged ill-treatment of those shifted to Covid First-Line Treatment Centres (CFLTC) after testing positive. On Thursday night, those shifted to the CFLTC at Karakkonam had circulated videos of unhygienic conditions, where only three toilets were available for 38 persons.
Minister Kadakampally Surendran, who has the charge of the capital district announced in the afternoon that the government has allowed some relaxations in Muttathara, Valiyathura, and Vallakkadavu wards that are identified as buffer zones.
The deadline for working hours of shops in these wards has been extended from 11 am to 5 pm. The government also allowed the fishermen to use conventional boats and catamarans to go to sea under the condition that they would not venture out of the district's limits, especially towards the Tamil Nadu region. Their catch should be sold in the neighbourhood.
It has also been decided that the mobile units of SupplyCo and ConsumerFed will visit these regions. The Indian Medical Association condemned the attack on the medical team at Poonthura.
There were 97 confirmed cases in Poonthura on Friday, all contracting Covid through contact.