THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Kerala: A directive has been issued by the Kerala government, restricting scientists from visiting the site of the Wayanad landslides and discussing the devastating natural disaster.
Tinku Biswal, the State Relief Commissioner and Principal Secretary of Kerala State Disaster Management has instructed all science and technology institutions in the state to refrain from conducting field visits to the Meppadi panchayat. This area has been designated as a disaster-affected area and is now fortified.
“The scientific community shall be directed to restrain themselves from sharing their opinions and study reports to the media. If any study is to be undertaken in the disaster-affected area, prior permission shall be obtained from Kerala Disaster Management Authority,” she said.
The imposed gag order sharply contradicts the recent statement made by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who emphasised the state’s efforts to fulfill its constitutional responsibility of promoting scientific rationality.