Kerala: CM Vijayan Orders Withdrawal Of Controversial 'Gag Order' On Wayanad Landslides After Widespread Outrage

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has ordered the withdrawal of a controversial note that had asked the scientific community to not visit the site of the landslides in Wayanad or share any opinions with the media.

The note had also stated that prior permission would have to be sought from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority for undertaking any studies.

The note had caused outrage and was widely seen as a 'gag order' to prevent criticism of the state government.

Vijayan later said that the state government does not have such a policy and that the note was misleading.

He added that the Chief Secretary had been directed to withdraw the said communication.

The death toll in the landslides has risen to 308 and over 300 people are still missing.