Villagers confront Sengottaiyan over TASMAC outlet relocation

Sengottaiyan, the AIADMK strongman and MLA of Gobichettipalayam, came to take part in a government event at the Municipal office in his constituency on the Erode-Sathyamangalam Road. He was to inaugurate 12 public water tanks in the town at the function on Sunday.  

The villagers, who were aware of the Minister’s participation in the government function, hired a van and came there to record their protest. More than 50 villagers, including women from Singiripalayam about 15 km from Gobi town, confronted him on the middle of the road. It took place soon after he got down from his vehicle at Karatoor around 8 30 am. 

The villagers told the Minister that TASMAC officials with the help of other government departments were expediting efforts to relocate a closed liquor outlet to their village. They said that the place where the relocation work is going on at a fast pace is close to a school and temple and that they strongly oppose the shop being set up there. 

After patiently listening to them, the Minister assured the villagers that there is no plan to open a TASMAC outlet at Singiripalayam. He convinced the villagers to drop their protest. The villagers left the place after the Minister’s assurance.  

Erode Collector S Prabhakar was present when the incident happened. It created a flutter for some time ahead of the government function. Sengottaiyan later took part in the programme and continued with his local tour schedule.