Priyanka seeks urgent rehabilitation of Vaniyampuzha tribal families

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Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, MP, interacting with the tribal families of Vaniyampuzha, Nilambur, on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, MP, has called for the rehabilitation of the Vaniyampuzha tribal families who lost their homes in the 2019 floods to be given priority.

Ms. Vadra met residents of the Vaniyampuzha tribal hamlet at Munderi in Pothukal panchayat on Wednesday (September 23, 2026) afternoon.

Residents said the construction of houses for families who had already received land should be expedited. They also sought electricity connections to the settlement.

Twenty-six Paniya families have been living in makeshift tarpaulin shelters in the forest since the August 2019 floods destroyed their homes. The settlement lies across the Chaliyar river.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, MP, speaking to the family of Billy, a tribal member from Vaniyampuzha hamlet who was killed in an elephant attack in 2025. | Photo Credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN

The issue had come under the attention of the Kerala State Human Rights Commission following a report published in The Hindu on September 11 on the living conditions of the families.

The Commission had registered a suo motu case and directed the authorities to urgently rehabilitate the affected families.

The Commission noted that the families had remained in temporary shelters for years without permanent rehabilitation and expressed concern over the lack of basic facilities. It said the situation affected their right to live with dignity and access safe housing.

During her visit, Ms. Vadra also visited the house of Billy, who was killed in a wild elephant attack last year.

P.V. Abdul Wahab, MP, and Aryadan Shoukath, MLA, also accompanied Ms. Vadra during her visit.

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