Contractor stops judges convoy, creates tension

MDMK Leader Vaiko and other environmental activists had filed cases at the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court to direct 13 district administrations under its jurisdiction to uproot the Seemai Karuvelam plants in the districts. Following this the court had issued directions to remove the plants and the deadline had been extended till February 27. 

Meantime, the High Court Judges visited various places at Madurai on Monday and expressed their displeasure at the pace of removal of Seemai Karuvelam plants in the district. On Wednesday, Justices, Selvam, Kalaiarasan and Vaithyanathan, carried out inspection at Sivaganga district along with officials of District administration. 

Judges initially visited Poovandhi and during their inspection expressed their dissatisfaction. Then they visited Nallakulam and when they were on their way to Manamadurai a contractor, Pasumpon Raja, in his bike followed the convoy of the Judges and tried desperately to talk to them. 

On seeing him trying to talk to them the Judges stopped their car. He told them that he had taken up the contract at Mulakulam village to uproot Seemai Karuvelam plants but people of the village did not allow him they seized five of his vehicles. 

He also pleaded the Judges to visit the village to ascertain the situation and almost begged them to recover the vehicles. When Collector, Malarvizhi, asked him why he had not approached her regarding the issue he replied that he had submitted petitions but no action was taken. 

Even as he was speaking to them he was whisked away by the policemen. This created a tensions on the road but the Judges proceeded to Melaponnakulam village where they inspected the works of MGNREGA. 

Meanwhile the Advocate Commissioners appointed by the High Court to oversee the removal of Seemai Karuvelam plants alleged that funds to remove the plants were not allocated properly by the district administration and this would greatly hamper the work.