The Ambayathode waste plant protests in Kozhikode have deeply impacted local children, causing sleepless nights, skipped classes, and emotional distress. The aftermath of the protests and ongoing police presence has created a climate of fear that continues to disrupt the daily lives and education of these young residents.
Impact on Children’s Well-being
Parents report that their children are unable to sleep and wake up at night crying, frightened by the possibility of police entering their homes. Many students from St Joseph’s LP School are missing from classes, with attendance dropping from 63 to just 15 at one point. Incidents of police searching homes have heightened anxiety, forcing families to go into hiding and leaving streets and homes deserted.
Disrupted Education
Children are missing school either due to their own fear or because their families have left the area to avoid police action. Even regular activities such as traveling to school have become impossible as transport providers like auto drivers are also in hiding. School authorities are making efforts by assigning tasks online, but fear persists that prolonged absenteeism might make students ineligible for examinations under education department policies, with only minor attendance deficits allowed to be waived by special certificates.
Health and Living Conditions
The health problems did not begin with the protests. Parents mention that children previously missed school because of illnesses linked to exposure from the rendering plant’s operations, requiring medicines that made it difficult for them to concentrate. Nebulizers have become commonplace in every household, highlighting the severity of ongoing medical issues triggered by pollution and foul smells from the plant.
Community Response and Social Harmony
Despite immense hardship, residents emphasize their unity and harmony across communities, resisting any attempts to communalize the issue. Their collective demand is for clean water and fresh air, with many expressing how their aspirations for a peaceful home life have been shattered by the stench and associated problems.
Official Response
Kozhikode Rural SP K E Baiju refuted allegations against the police, insisting they were only stationed near the factory and that families left on their own. He also suggested protesters involved women and children, but parents and residents maintain the police actions and constant fear have been significant factors affecting children’s daily routines.
This situation in Ambayathode exemplifies how environmental and administrative crises affect not only residents but also the region’s most vulnerable its children. The desire of the community for health, safety, and dignity stands out as a central theme, making the protests much more than a fight over industrial operations; they are about the fundamental rights to a safe home and a proper education.
Read more at: https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2025/11/08/ambayathode-kozhikode-protest-affects-kids.html