Koovathur locals irked by holidaying MLAs

Located two kilometres from the signage on the main road, getting to the resort is further hampered by groups of party workers, who stop and check each and every vehicle that passes through and question the occupants. These men have been strong-arming locals, allege villagers who claim that they have been goondas brought from Mannargudi in Tiruvarur district. 

On Saturday, at around 6 am, when some media people attempted to go to the resort along with local police, the private security guards at the venue pelted stones at them. “Even the police must get our permission to enter the resort,” one of the security guards told the media personnel. Local added that several people from their village have been employed to help out at the resort, but they have to give an undertaking that they will not talk to, or come in any contact with the MLAs inside. 

“We don’t mind because the MLAs are extremely rude and shout at us,” one of the villagers complained. According to him, the MLAs have been making unreasonable demands for special food and DVDs as they are bored inside.

Though legislators like Cheyyar MLA K Mohan and Kalasapakkam MLA V Panneerselvam met media persons outside the resort and said they are having a good time and taking rest at the resort, a villager who is employed at the resort revealed that several fights are arguments break out between the ministers and they are often heard having heated arguments. “Our life is completely disrupted, and we can’t go about our daily activities without being checked and questioned,” complained Akathiyan, whose wife works in the resort kitchen. Earlier in the day, a team led by Kancheepuram district ADSP Tamil Selvan met the MLAs at Koovathur and took statements from each of them. Police will submit the report to the HC on February 13.