Fresh round of protest against 8-lane expressway commences in Salem

The fresh round of protests began after the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) issued survey orders to acquire more lands than what was earmarked earlier for acquisition. The anguished farmers wanted NHAI to honour the High Court, which has issued an interim order against land acquisition for the project.

Up in arms against the new proposal, people from about a dozen villages in Salem gathered at Bose ‘maidan’ near the old bus stand in Salem. From there, the farmers took a march towards the Collector office.

However, the Salem Town Police denied permission for the march and blocked their way, resulting in tension. For a while, the agitated farmers entered into a heated argument with the cops. They then squatted in the ‘maidan’ raising slogans condemning the police.

A police team led by Assistant Commissioner Sundaramurthy held several rounds of talks persuading the farmers to drop the march. But the farmers refused to budge and finally, the cops relented by permitting farmers to go ahead with their protest march.

The farmers, carrying placards against the roadway project, moved through Thiruvalluvar statue area, Salem Corporation office and reached Collectorate. When police checked the farmers before letting them in, the farmers resorted to ‘dharna’.

All the farmers were then let inside. More than 550 farmers gave their petitions opposing the project to officials at the Collector office. Farmers added that the 10,000 crore proposed Green Corridor Project will affect more than 15,000 acres of fertile farmlands and forests.

Instead of laying a new road, the government could expand the existing four ways into six ways. The farmers have decided to continue their agitations until the government drops the project.