Kochi: With amebic meningoencephalitis cases on the rise in Kerala, concerns are mounting over the use of police water cannons during protests. Kochi Youth Congress district leader Salman has lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission and the State DGP, demanding strict measures to ensure the water used is clean and safe.
Health experts warn that contaminated water sprayed at high pressure could allow amoebas to enter through the nose, raising the risk of life-threatening infections. Police usually fill cannons with water drawn from camp ponds and wells, sources that may not meet hygiene standards.
With protests surging across the state in recent weeks, organizations argue that using potentially unsafe water in water cannons violates protesters’ rights and public health safety. They are urging authorities to suspend or regulate their use until the health threat is under control.
