more-in A row over dumping of sewage waste in public places and waterbodies has reportedly turned into a clash between a local body and the health authorities in Mavoor grama panchayat in the district. While members of the grama panchayat have sought action against P. Unnikrishnan, health inspector attached to the Medical College Hospital unit at Cherooppa, claiming that he is being “indifferent” to elected representatives, the health official claims he is becoming the target of political vendetta. According to Health Department sources, one of the grama panchayat members was peeved after the staff at the MCH unit refused to give him bleaching powder to spray over sewage waste dumped in public places recently. The health staff claimed that the department could not hand it over as it was the responsibility of the local body to clear the waste. It has also been alleged that people close to some of the panchayat members were involved in dumping of the waste and they were in a hurry to clear it. Recent arrests Recently, the police arrested five persons on the charge of dumping sewage waste on the property belonging to a private person. Mr. Unnikrishnan claimed that he was being targeted by local politicians as he had taken a tough stand on the issue in association with the police. P.P. Muraleedharan, health supervisor, and Basheer, office assistant, attached to the MCH unit, have also lodged complaints with their higher authorities, claiming that they were being “threatened” and obstructed from discharging their duties by the panchayat representatives. Meanwhile, the panchayat members staged a sit-in outside the MCH unit on Friday demanding that the health inspector be transferred. They have also submitted a petition to the District Medical Officer. C. Muneerath, grama panchayat president, told The Hindu that they sought the transfer of Mr. Unnikrishnan as he had not been involved in any of the local health issues.

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