Residents of Mannan tribal settlement, better known as ‘Oommen Chandy Colony’, under Kanjikuzhy grama panchayat in Idukki are mourning the departure of their beloved leader. The tribal settlement has a deep relationship with Oommen Chandy.
According to the residents, after a long protest led by former Congress leader Karimban Jose, the government allotted land for 39 tribal families there in 1974. Mr. Chandy was a Youth Congress leader then, and the government issued title deeds for the families thanks to the intervention of Mr. Chandy. Expressing their gratitude, the tribal people and Congress leaders named the Mazhuvadi ward ‘Oommen Chandy Colony.’ There is still a board at the entrance to the colony that prominently exhibits its name.
Also read: Puthuppally, a place where masses reached out to their leader Oommen Chandy
