State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) Chairperson Alexander Thomas has directed the Director of the Department of Mining and Geology to submit a report on the steps to be taken to avoid accidents being reported from water-filled abandoned quarries in the State.
The report has to mention the possibilities of amending the Kerala Minor Minerals Concession Rules and fixing the responsibility of setting up barricades and warning boards near such sites on owners of quarries or those managing it, according to a release. The Commission’s directive was issued after it took suo motu notice of the tragic incident in which a young model drowned in a water-filled abandoned quarry at Mudakuzha, Ernakulam, on May 28.
The Chairperson recommended a probe by the Revenue Divisional Officer into the incident. It should be carried out in cooperation with the Department of Fire and Rescue Services and the Station House Officer. The Ernakulam District Collector has to submit the inquiry report within a month. The secretary of Mudakuzha panchayat must submit an explanation, said the release.
The Commission asked the Principal Secretary and Director of the Department of Industries to submit separate reports. The Deputy Director of the Department of Mining and Geology and Under Secretary of the Department of Industries should appear at the Commission’s sitting to be held at the PWD Rest House in Pathadipalam on July 14.
Published – June 02, 2026 08:31 pm IST
