The protests against the delay in disbursal of welfare pensions assumed a new dimension with an elderly tribal couple at Adimali affixing a notice in front of their shop on Friday requesting mercy killing.
Sivadasan, 72, and his wife, Omana, 63, residents of Ambalappady, near Adimali in Idukki, put up the notice that read ‘ready for mercy killing’ in front of their shop on the roadside.
Ms. Omana says she is physically challenged and suffered from health issues. “I need nearly ₹3,000 to buy medicines for a week. The welfare pension and the income from the shop met our needs. However, the shop’s business reached a standstill due to insufficient money to purchase commodities. We had no other option and put up the notice,” she says.
