Anti-hydrocarbon extraction campaign gathers steam in Delta

The protesters descended into the Vennaru river near Koothanallur-Tiruvarur Road and shouted slogans against the Union and State governments for giving nod for the hydrocarbon exploration by digging the wells. Farmers said that in the recent order Koothanallur has also been included for the exploration process in the phase I. The hydrocarbon extraction would turn the rich Cauvery into dry stretch. They also said that farmers were planning for a mass gathering to oppose the project in Koothanallur during the last week of June.

M Sudarshan, town secretary of CPI, who led the Thursday protest, addressing the protesters said that farmers of the region would stand united against the project and would even face any consequences to stop the exploration. Criticising that the governments do not keep in mind the welfare of the farmers while providing permission for such projects, he said that farmers were waiting for the opening of Mettur dam to commence the Kuruvai cultivation and at this juncture the implementation of anti-farmer projects would be a huge blow to their lives and livelihood.

Later, the Tamil Nadu Vivaasyigal Sangam state secretary Masilamani told reporters that once the extraction of hydrocarbon commences, not only the fertile delta districts, the entire state would lose its fertility. He said that the project would impact severely impact the ground water table and there would be anunprecedented struggle for drinking water across the state. “We will continue to protest until the project is dropped,” Masilamani added.