Murungapatti residents want raw materials removed from explosive unit

Residents said, while the government had already issued order to shut the explosive unit, raw materials which have been stocked in it pose a threat.

Alleging that the explosive unit had planned to resume their production despite the government notification, the villagers have been asking for closing down of the unit.

On November 4, the explosive unit had transported chemicals to the factory and the villagers stopped the truck and besieged it. They also punctured the tyres after which the vehicle was left abandoned. Subsequently, the villagers had cut the road leading to the factory so that no vehicle might enter there. They had planned to stage a protest in front of the Collectorate on Monday.

On Sunday night, a police team led by Musiri DSP Balamurugan and Thurayur inspector Manoharan went to T-Murungapatti village and arrested K Periasamy (50), Natarajan (56), Palaniappan (58), Saravanan (35), Pugalendi (45), Anand (40) and Appadurai (56) while they were sleeping in their houses. The police charged that the arrested persons were organising a protest and disturbing public peace.

On Monday, the villagers came to the Collectorate and submitted a petition to Collector K Rajamani and demanded release of the arrested persons. They also appealed for closure of the explosive unit and removal of the stocked raw materials.