Kerala CM strongly rejects union minister's criticism over Wayanad landslide, evades query on Gadgil's observations

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday strongly criticised union forest and environment minister Bhupender Yadav for stating that illegal mining and habitations were reasons for the Wayanad landslide.

Vijayan also alleged that the union minister's statement seems to be part of reported attempts by the Centre to unleash a campaign against the state government by pressuring scientists to write critically against the state government for the natural calamity.

However, Vjayan evaded question on famed ecologist Madhav Gadgil's observations that activities like extensive quarrying in the ecologically fragile Meppadi region led to the landslide. "I have made clear the facts. If you have any different information, you may tell that," Vijayan reacted during a press conference.

Vijayan said that though Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union home minister Amit Shah's initial response to the landslide was very supportive, some events that followed seemed to be not supportive. He said that Yadav insulted hundreds who died in the landslide and others who lost the dear and near ones by terming them as illegal encroachers. He also said that there was no illegal quarrying happening in the landslide hit region. The nearest quarry is 10.2 kilometres away, he said.

There were reports in a section of the media that the centre, through the Press Information Bureau, was forcing scientists to write against the state in connection with the landslide. The misleading remarks by an union minister also seems to be part of such a plan, said the Chief Minister.

He also rejected the allegations that funds received in the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund were being misused.