Govindapuram lake overflow inundates fields; farmers stage dharna

According to Vaniyambadi IUML town secretary, SSB Farook, “Vear” a local NGO, had requested district Collector SA Raman through a letter a month ago, to strengthen the bund, failing which, there was every chance of excess water entering nearby fields. This apprehension came true on Monday, when surplus water entered Govindapuram and inundated paddy and corn fields, after first crossing the Kanavai Pudur Road. According to Farook, water submerging the road affected connectivity to nearly 10 nearby villages. 

When Vaniyambadi tahsildar M Kumar arrived at the spot to inspect the damage, he had to beat a hasty retreat when irate villagers demanded to know why their crops should suffer damage, when they had already informed revenue officials about the issue a month ago. “They are trying to divert water to other areas in a bid to ensure that the government does not get a bad name,” said an amgry local farmer. 

Irked by official lethargy, residents staged a dharna at the spot where surplus water entered Govindapuram in which Vear president and MDMK town secretary A Nasir Khan, NGO treasurer SSB Imran and IUML Vaniyambadi town secretary SSB Farook participated.

Residents alleged that encroachments on the lake supply channels in and around Vanyambadi caused the inundation of their agricultural land. The demonstrators demanded immediate removal of encroachments, failing which, they threatened to launch a full scale agitation.