Mala: A cobra was discovered inside sacks of plastic waste at the Material Collection Facility (MCF) here, raising serious safety concerns. The snake, believed to have slithered in from a nearby bushy area, entered the sacks on Wednesday evening while members of the Haritha Karma Sena were working at the site. Following the discovery, work at the MCF was temporarily halted.

Haritha Karma Sena members immediately alerted the Forest Department. Forest Rescue Watcher Bibeesh arrived on Thursday morning and safely removed the snake, allowing operations at the facility to resume.

The incident prompted demands from some Haritha Karma Sena workers for emergency safety measures at the MCF. Congress leaders Jiyo Kodiyan, Adhu Krishnan, and Joshy Kanjoothara supported these calls, leading to a dispute with Panchayat President Bindu Babu and others who were present at the site. The Congress leaders also urged that the accumulated waste at the MCF be cleared promptly.

Workers have previously complained about reptiles, including snakes, entering the MCF, and have highlighted the lack of adequate safety measures at the facility.