Anwarserri under siege

By Arjun Raghunath
The New Indian Express

Anwarserri (Kollam), Aug. 16

Eighty-two year old Daniel with his diabetics affected leg wants to
consult the doctor over the last few days while his eight year old
grand daughter Agnus is missing her school, that too during the Onam
examinations.

About 30 kilometres from Kollam town is Palliserikal near Shasthamkota
where Anwarserry, the ethimakhan and sheriat college, being headed by
PDP leader Abdul Nazir Madhany is situated. The entire area
surrounding Anwarserry is literarily under police siege over the last
couple of days.

“The pain on my leg is becoming intense day by day. I am not able to
go to hospital as no autorickshaws are willing to come this side these
days as they are not allowed to enter the area. When my son-in-law
went to buy some medicines for me he was also blocked by the police
and was directed to take another route which is several kilometres
long,” says Daniel who has being staying near Anwarserry over last
several decades.

His granddaughter Agnus is not able to go to her school over the last
couple of days as her school van is not allowed in the area. “Tomorrow
I will walk up to the next junction and catch the school van,” Agnus
tells her grandmother Saramma.

Kabeer, a worker at a nearby cashew factory is concerned whether the
ongoing tension at Anwarserry would spoil his, as well as his
colleagues, Onam celebrations. “We are expecting our Onam bonus in the
coming days. But I am afraid if the ongoing tension may affect the
smooth functioning of the factory,” says Kabeer.

The heavy bandobast being imposed by the police in Anwarserry locality
is not only hindering the basic needs of many like Daniel or Agnus or
Kabeer, but is also inviting resentment from within the police force
itself. Sveral battalions of police, including women constables, are
posted at Anwarserry over the last couple of days.

“It is three days since we are here without any use. Either Madhani
should be arrested or the force should be withdrawn. It is a shame for
the entire police force that one single person could be taken into
custody even after this much effort,” says a sub-inspector who is on
duty at Anwarserry.

While those police officers from various armed reserve camps are being
provided food from their respective police camps, those who are drawn
from the local stream have to literarily wander for food.

Both the local people near Anwarserry as well as the cops on duty are
now praying for an early end to the tension in the area. Indeed, the
scores of journalists who are camping in the area over the last two
couple of days are also restlessly waiting for an end to the whole
episode.

The only section who cheers of the present situation at Anwaserry
locality might be the nearby shopkeepers who are receiving brisk sales
from the cops and journos.

Ends.