Druggies, not tourists, throng Manippara waterfalls in Kannur

Keezhillam, Ernakulam: The Manippara waterfall in Ernakulam district has become a major hub of drug addicts, though residents are protesting against anti-social activities.

The beautiful Manippara Falls is situated just 2 km from the St. Thomas Junction, between Parambippedika and Thriveni.

The deafening sound of the cascading waterfalls, which meanders through the huge rocks, could be heard kilometers away. The area which was once an active tourist destination has now become a hub of anti-social activities and the authorities have turned a blind eye to this. The people of the locality allege that youngsters who come from outside uses drugs at the area near the waterfalls, and discarded syringes have often been found here. The addicts also create problems for the women and children who come to bathe at the lake near Manippara.

The road that leads to Manippara was renovated three months ago using fund allotted by district panchayat member Basil Paul. The members of the social media group ‘Ente Keezhillam’, have earlier demanded that street lights should be erected and police patrolling should be strengthened in the area. They have also asked the elected representatives to interfere to identify the scope of tourism here and develop it to draw more number of tourists. They have also planned to submit a written request to Eldhose Kunnappally MLA in this regard.

Facebook invite behind trouble

The locals allege that drug addicts began frequenting the place ever since a Perumbavoor native posted a picture of him publicly consuming alcohol at Manippara along with his friends, on a Facebook page called ‘glassile nurayum platile curriyum’. Youngsters from all over Kerala began to throng the place after the picture became a hit on the Facebook page which has more than 18 lakhs followers. The post and picture was deleted when the members of ‘Ente Keezhillam’ social media group protested against it. Now the locals have decided to file a police complaint against those who come to Manippara to use drugs.