Aquatics complex accident sparks uproar in Thrissur Corporation council meet
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The ruling and Opposition councillors clash during a protest in the Thrissur Corporation council meeting on Saturday demanding action against those responsible for the accident in which a temporary metal sheet at the Aquatics Complex in the city collapsed and injured students during the State School Games. | Photo Credit: K.K. NAJEEB
The roof-collapse incident at the Aquatics Complex during the State School Games snowballed into a confrontation in the Thrissur Corporation council meeting on Saturday, with ruling and Opposition councillors trading allegations before the confrontation turned physical.
The Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillors rushed into the well of the House after they expressed dissatisfaction with the response of Mayor Niji Justin and Deputy Mayor A. Prasad to the discussion on the incident.
The Mayor and Deputy Mayor said the Corporation had no role in organising the games, while adding that any lapse on the part of the civic body, if established, would be acknowledged and addressed.
The response failed to pacify the Opposition. The LDF and BJP councillors, carrying placards, entered the well demanding action against those responsible for the accident. Congress councillors moved to counter the protest, leading to heated exchanges, pushing and scuffling between the two sides.
The BJP later alleged that Congress councillor K. Sumesh attacked the Opposition councillors, including women members, without provocation when they were protesting democratically. BJP councillors Krishnamohan, Vinshi Arunkumar and Reshma Menon were subsequently admitted to hospital with injuries, according to the BJP.
The council hall descended into chaos as members from both sides raised slogans and traded accusations.
Opposition leader T.R. Hiran raised the issue during the general discussion, accusing Sports Minister O.J. Janeesh of taking an irresponsible approach to the incident. He also argued that the Mayor and the Corporation could not completely distance themselves from an incident that occurred within the civic body’s jurisdiction.
BJP parliamentary party leader Raghunath C. Menon and Opposition councillors Aneesh, M.L. Rossy and Ms. Menon also criticised the handling of the incident.
The situation further escalated when Mr. Sumesh referred to the collapse of a massive truss at a Corporation building during the previous LDF-led council’s tenure. The LDF councillors objected strongly to the reference.
Education Standing Committee chairperson Mefi Delson’s remark that the lapse lay with the Sports Council and its convener also drew a sharp response from the Opposition.
Dr. Justin said she, the Deputy Mayor and the councillor of the concerned division had been invited to the inaugural function only on the previous night and that even the organising committee had not formally involved them.
She said that despite this, she and the MLA had reached the venue immediately after the accident and taken necessary steps.
Amid the continuing protest, the Mayor called for the agenda to be read out. The Opposition councillors, however, continued their protest, demanding action against those responsible for the accident. With the situation showing no signs of easing, the Mayor adjourned the council meeting and left the chair.
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