Environmental activist alleges murder attempt for exposing illegal ground water supply

Paramasivan, a young activist from Deivaseyalpuram in Thoothukudi, had submitted a petition against illegal ground water supply around his locality and even spoke against the mafia at the farmers grievance meeting. Following his complaint, he was attacked by the mafia and hospitalised on October 30. Following the attack on Paramasivan, officials took stern action on the water mafia and seized 32 lorries supplying ground water illegally. A fine of Rs.3.2 lakhs was also levied on the lorries. 

Following the action the mafia had been eyeing to attack Paramasivan. On Sunday evening, when Paramasivan visited his friend’s house at Seetharpatti near Deivaseyalpuram, he was followed  by members of the rival gang. On his way back, he was intercepted but he managed to escape. Speaking to DTNext, Paramasivan claimed that when he was returning, the gang tried to attack him and he took to his heels. He ran into a burial ground nearby to seek shelter. Though the gang tried to locate him with a torchlight, he managed to escape. Then he had informed another activist Gunaseelan from the hiding place in the burial ground and Gunaseelan had in turn alerted the police and local journalists. 

Srivaikuntam police went in search of him and he had managed to walk for 5 km, crossing two villages. Finally, he reached a police jeep which was waiting at Aniyabaranallur. He was then admitted in the Thoothukudi GH to treat the injuries on his feet. Later he registered a complaint with the police, claimed Paramasivan.