PUDUKKOTTAI/NAGAPATTINAM: The number and intensity of the protests against hydrocarbon exploration at Neduvasal is increasing by the day across Pudukkottai district. The protest has been drawing huge support from the public.
To register their objection to the extraction of hydrocarbon, around 1,000 residents, along with social activists of various outfits, gathered at Thilagar Thidal in the town under the banner of Anti-movement for Hydrocarbon Project and observed a hunger strike. Cine director Pandiraj, a native of Virachilai in the district, participated.
On Sunday, most of the residents of Neduvasal hoisted black flags atop their houses and commercial establishments remained closed.
The protesters raised various slogans against the Central government and a PSU for giving permission to extract hydrocarbon. Around 5,000 residents, farmers and members of various political parties gathered at Neduvasal Bazaar and Nallankollai and observed a hunger strike.
Around 400 students and youth who participated in the hunger strike declared that they were going to continue it till the Centre scrapped the project.
About 300 villagers from Kottikadu village joined the agitation. Another 300 DMK cadre and functionaries led by Alangudi MLA C V Meiyyanathan gathered at Neduvasal Bazaar and staged an agitation. Around 130 inmates of Pudukkottai district prison also observed a hunger strike.
The residents of Neduvasal had commenced their agitation on February 16, soon after the Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave permission to extract hydrocarbon.
R Muththarasan, State secretary, CPI, K Varadharajan and S Thirunavukkarasu, leaders of Vivasayigal Sangam affiliated to CPI, TMC president G K Vasan, PMK president G K Mani, and others had visited Neduvasal and urged the Centre to withdraw the project.
Naam Tamilar Katchi chief coordinator Seeman is likely to reach Neduvasal on Monday to extend his support to the protesters. On Tuesday, MDMK general secretary Vaiko and his cadre would stage an agitation in the village. The cadre of the People’s Welfare Movement will stage an agitation at Alangudi on Tuesday to show their displeasure over the project.
So far, around 50 protests, including awareness rallies and other programmes, have been held against the project in the district.
In Nagapattinam, students and youth, who were involved in the recent pro-jallikattu protest, gathered to stage an agitation against the hydrocarbon extraction move. Around 30 students who called themselves as ‘Students and Youth for Jallikkattu’ raised slogans against the State and Union governments and urged them to stop the project. They were detained and lodged in a marriage hall.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan said in Nagercoil that the Centre will not approve any project that will affect the people of Tamil Nadu. “The Central government is just reviewing the hydrocarbon project proposal for Neduvasal. The residents should understand the project details and then they should stage the protest. The Centre will analyse the project and will continue only if it does not affect the people and farmers of Tamil Nadu.” He recalled that the people also protested in case of Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant, but because of the project, Tamil Nadu is now getting uninterrupted power supply.
Cancel plan: OPS
Pointing out that the protests at Neduvasal against the proposed hydrocarbon project appear to intensify with a section of students and youngsters jumping into the fray, former CM O Panneerselvam on Sunday urged the Centre to give up the project immediately. “The issue must be resolved before the agitation gets intensified. Taking into account the interests of the local people, the Centre must cancel the nod granted to the project,” he said in a statement.
He said a situation of unrest in the State arose, following the demand for conducting jallikattu.