Ham radio-supported election goes ahead in Kerala

Monday’s polling to Kerala’s first all-tribal panchayat, damalakkudy, in Idukki district would be marked in history for the elborate preparations underway to get a reclusive tribal community to participate in democracy.

Edamalakkudy, 38 km from Munnar hill station, has no motorable road, no power or communication network.

There are 700-odd families of Muthuvan Scheduled Tribe, which live in small settlements at Edamalakkudy, situated amidst dense forest.

To fill the communication gap at the village where even police wireless system fail to work, the administration has roped in ham radio operators. The private hams have put up a temporary station and posted operators at all 13 booths to hotlink the hamlet with Idukki district administration on the polling day.

To reach Edamalakkudy, one has to trek 18 km through dense forest, after alighting at Pullumudi, 20 km away from Munnar. Only four-wheel jeeps can climb the hills up to Pullumudi from Munnar.

Source: indianexpress.com

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