Despite ban, farmers stage hydrocarbon protests in Tiruvarur

Although there were spontaneous protests against the projects since the time the Union government gave nod to ONGC and Vedanta’s subsidiary for exploration of hydrocarbon in the Cauvery delta, the Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Association supported by the CPI had called for a district-wide protest on Saturday.

Despite a police order preventing such protests in place, the farmers in Tiruvarur appeared determined to stage the protest as per their schedule in as many as 13 spots across the district. At Tiruvarur old bus stand, the state deputy secretary of the association, P S Masilamani, led the strike.

The protesters raised slogans against the projects alleging hydraulic fracturing technique-which has been banned in most of the countries globally, and the chemicals used in the exploration would render the fertile Cauvery delta region into a desert, and thereby make the farmers to lose their livelihood.

The ryots also pointed out that companies were trying to implement the projects without even conducting the mandatory public hearing as per the environment protection Act. They hence wanted the Union government to drop the project and also urged the State government not to give consent of operation.

In a demonstration held in front of Muthupettai town panchayat office, M Selvarasu, who has been elected from Nagappattinam Lok Sabha constituency, participated.

Protests were also held in places, including Tiruthuraipoondi, Mannargudi, Kottur, Needamangalam, Valangaiman, Koradacherry, Nannilam, and Koothanallur.