Green corridor: Protesting farmers begin fast in Salem

As police denied them permission to hold the protest near the district Collectorate, the farmers shifted their venue to Uthamasholapuram, from where the expressway makes inroads into the district.

Over 500 farmers gathered in a farm owned by one Manikandan to protest against the acquisition of their lands in the district.

Farmers have begun their second round of protests after the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) issued survey orders to acquire more lands than what was earmarked earlier for acquisition. The anguished farmers wanted NHAI to honour the interim high court order against land acquisition for the project.

Members of the DMK and left parties also took part in the demonstrations in support of the farmers. The farmers have planned to continue their agitation until the government drops the project.

“Why is the government bent on implementing the project despite strong opposition from farmers? Instead of laying a new road, the government can consider expanding the existing four lanes into six lanes for easy movement of vehicles,” said the protesting farmers.

A fortnight ago, nearly hundreds of farmers had taken a march to the Collectorate from Bose Maidan and submitted numerous petitions opposing the project at the Collector’s office.

They said that the Rs 10,000-crore proposed green corridor project will affect more than 15,000 acres of fertile farmlands and forests.