‘Won’t give our land for Green Corridor at any cost’

The police were on high alert as farmers had planned a protest march to the Collector’s office since it was the final day of the public hearing organised by revenue officials on the Green Corridor project issue.

More than 100 policemen, under the supervision of Deputy Commissioners Subbulakshmi and Thangadurai, were deployed at the Collector’s office since morning.

Following the heightened vigil, only a little more than 50 farmers from areas such as Nilavarapatty, Kuppanur and Ayodyapattinam turned up to express their objection to acquiring their fertile land for the project.

They all were checked thoroughly before being allowed inside the premises.

“The Green Corridor project, developed by destroying, greenery should be shelved. Already the government failed to duly compensate land owners for previously implemented road works. We won’t part with our lands at any cost,” said S Manoharan, a farmer.

Speaking to the media after petitioning the revenue officials, AMMK organising secretary and former MLA SK Selvam said the police are visiting the houses of farmers protesting against the project and were allegedly trying to intimidate them.

The police are also gathering details, including the addresses and photographs, of the farmers involved in the protests.

“The government is planning to give Rs 20 lakh per hectare for land worth several crores. Even if the government pays Rs 50 crore, the farmers wouldn’t give away their land as it is their main source of livelihood. The state and central governments have joined hands to betray the farmers,” he said.