KL This Week: IMD Announces Arrival of Northeast Monsoon; Predicts More Rainfall with Depression in Arabian Sea

NewsClick brings you a round-up of important developments from across Kerala during the past week, including the official onset of the Northeast Monsoon (NEM), the prohibition of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Shakhas in temple areas, Kerala Karshaka Sangham's observance of October 21 as Vachathi Victory Day, celebrations marking the 100th birthday of former Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan, a founding leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], and the proposed layoffs at Malabar Spinning Mills.

NEM ARRIVES, MORE RAINFALL TILL OCT 25

The onset of the NEM has been officially declared by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on October 21. The state is expected to receive light to moderate rain till October 25. 

A yellow alert has been issued for most of the southern and central districts until October 25, according to the latest IMD announcement. The low-pressure area over the southeast and southwest Arabian Sea is expected to intensify into a cyclone storm by October 22.

Thiruvananthapuram (114%) and Pathanamthitta (73%) districts have experienced significantly excessive rainfall between October 1 and October 21. Kollam (26%) and Alappuzha (31%) districts have also received excess rainfall during the same period. On the other hand, Idukki, Thrissur, and Wayanad districts have reported a rainfall deficit, while the remaining districts have received normal rainfall.

Meanwhile, the Southwest Monsoon withdrew from the country and the state on October 19, following a 4-day delay, the IMD declared.

RSS SHAKHAS BANNED IN TEMPLE PREMISES

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has issued a new circular to all temples under its jurisdiction, directing them to cease the activities of RSS and affiliated organisations within their premises. This entails discontinuation of mass drills, Shakhas, weapon training, and gatherings, as well as prohibiting protest gatherings by Sangh Parivar outfits under the guise of 'Namajabha Yatra.'

In September 2023, the Kerala High Court ordered a ban on RSS activities within the Sankara Temple in Thiruvananthapuram. As a result, this order is now being rigorously enforced in all temples overseen by the TDB.

The directive requires temple officials to remove banners, hoardings, and displays erected by such organisations featuring individuals unrelated to the temple's operations, as well as books, flags, and symbols. To ensure strict compliance with this order, the TDB has decided to conduct vigilance raids.

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FARMERS OBSERVE VACHATI VICTORY DAY

The Kerala Karshaka Sangham, the Kerala unit of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), observed October 21 as the Victory Day, to commemorate the Vachathi verdict in favour of the tribals from Vachathi village in Tamil Nadu. 

The Madras High Court upheld the lower court verdict punishing around 100 forest, police, and revenue officials for unleashing violence on tribal women under the guise of searching for sandalwood in 1992. The Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam (Tamil Nadu unit of AIKS) and Tamil Nadu Tribals Association (TNTA) waged a massive and sustained legal struggle for 31 years against state repression.

The Kerala unit of the Kisan Sabha organised victory gatherings across the state, expressing solidarity with the people of Vachathi, a small tribal hamlet in Dharmapuri district in Tamil Nadu.

Panoli Valsan, the state secretary of the Karshaga Sangham inaugurated the gathering in Thalassery in Kannur district, while CPI(M) leader K K Shylaja Teacher led the celebrations in Thiruvananthapuram.

VS ACHUTHANANDAN CELEBRATES HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY

The legendary leader of the communist movement in Kerala and one of the two surviving members of the founding group of the CPI(M), V S Achuthanandan, celebrated his 100th birthday on October 20. The legendary leader has served as the chief minister of the state, leader of opposition, and chairman of administrative reforms between 2016 to 2021. 

Entering politics in 1938 through trade union activities, he joined the Communist Party in 1940. He was first elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly in 1967, after which he achieved six election victories.

VS, affectionately referred to as such by party members and the public, served as the secretary of the CPI(M) Kerala state committee from 1980 to 1992 and remained a member of the politburo until 2009. Throughout his nearly eight-decade political career, he led numerous struggles for the working class.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan Master, and other leaders visited his residence to extend their greetings.

LAYOFFS IN MALABAR SPINNING MILLS

The Malabar Spinning and Weaving Mills in Thiruvannur of Kozhikode district has announced plans for layoffs citing a lack of raw material for production. The company has instructed the workers not to attend work for 10 days through a circular published on October 16. 

While the management has cited a lack of raw material, the workers have accused the officials of spending crores of rupees for the purchase of new machinery.