By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala’s opposition alliance United Democratic Front (UDF) has called for a state-wide shutdown Tuesday in protest against the government’s alleged failure to tackle the raging fever in the state that has left almost every home affected.
The 12-hour strike would be held in 13 districts except Pathanamthitta district, which had witnessed a shutdown Friday.
“We are really helpless and are left with no other option other than to call for a state-wide shutdown on Tuesday. We expect that at least through this action of ours, the ‘eyes’ of the Kerala government will be opened,” UDF convenor P.P. Thankachan told reporters here Saturday.
According to state Health Minister P.K. Sreemathi, at least 179 chikungunya-related deaths were reported so far from the state, including 82 in Pathanamthitta and 77 in Kottayam district.
“We have been cooperating with the state government to tackle the fever crisis but the government has not taken this (crisis) in seriousness. We are all upset with Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss who is yet to make a visit to the state, but has been making all sorts of statements. We have expressed our displeasure to him,” added Thankachan.
Meanwhile, a six-member central team of experts led by Dr Venkitesh of the National Institute of Communicable Diseases arrived in Kochi, and would travel to the worst affected districts in south and central Kerala.
Thankachen defended the call for another strike when people have been suffering from fever for the past two months.
“We are sure that the people will cooperate because they are also fed up of the callous attitude of the V.S. Achuthanandan-led Communist Party of India (CPI-M) government. Just imagine if this had happened during our time, they (CPI-M) would have by now held several shutdowns,” said Thankachan.
On Friday, the UDF stalled the proceeding in the assembly, demanding a discussion on the fever issue, forcing Speaker K. Radhakrishnan to adjourn the house for the day.