Hydrocarbon protesters’ bid to block train foiled

Despite stiff opposition by the farmers of Cauvery delta as well as residents against the hydrocarbon extraction projects, and the requests to mark the delta as a protected agricultural zone, the Centre had been working on making the zone as a petro-chemical hub which would affect the livelihood of the farmers, the participants said.

The protesters also blamed the State government of gifting several thousand hectares of fertile land to the corporate companies that are involved in the projects. They also said that the project would not only dry up ground water, but also make people to go starving as they would not be able to find any other work. “Once the projects are implemented, at least one crore people in the Cauvery delta would be affected,” the demonstrators rued.

The agitating members led by Tamil Desiya Katchi president Tamil Nesan assembled in front of the Thanjavur railway station and raised slogans in support of their protest. Members from a few farmers’ association also joined them.

The protesters, all of a sudden, attempted to enter the the railway station but the Thanjavur town police led by DSP Ravindran-who were on duty-stopped them. However, the protesters continued their attempts to enter into the railway station, raising slogans. Subsequently, the police secured all the 60 members, including three women, who tried to enter the station. They were later released in the evening.

It may be noted that farmers’ associations along with the several political parties had organised a mega human chain protest from Cuddalore to Ramanathapuram against hydrocarbon extraction projects on Sunday.