‘Protect activists as state turns dangerous’

“From August 2016 to July 2019, 38 activists were killed in the State,” Kathir, the executive director of Madurai-based NGO Evidence said, adding that there has been an increase in the murder of activists who fight against encroachment, smuggling, caste and human rights violations.

The recent incident of an activist and his son being reportedly murdered by a six-member gang at Muthalaipatti village near Kulithalai in Karur district has sent shock waves across the State as they had successfully prevented encroachment of a waterbody in their village. Evidence, which carried out a field study in the village, found out that the lake there spread over 198.45 acres was encroached by more than 50 persons, making it go bone dry, Kathir said. Through an RTI, it was found that except for 50 acres, the remaining part of the lake was encroached upon. With the information obtained through RTI, the activist, Viralimalai, filed a petition and obtained an order to evacuate all the encroachers in October 2018. As the encroachers were not removed even after six months, he approached the court again and that time, the court directed officials to act immediately to remove the encroachments. The encroachers then reportedly murdered the duo.

Environmental activist Saravanan said that the attack against activists have increased in the State. “Environmental activists are always targeted and the government lacks a clear vision in protecting them. On many occasions, the local police go hand-in-hand with the culprits and act against the activists. The government should publish a white paper on the murders of activists in the State,” he said.

DMDK Founder Vijayakant on Sunday demanded government job for a family member of the slain activist Viralimalai. “Viralimalai and his son Nallathambi were murdered in a gruesome manner for fighting against illegal encroachment of the lake in their village. Government should give proper protection to his family and should provide government job for a person in their family,” said Vijayakant, in a statement. He also said that government should take proper steps in this case by taking stern action on the accused and should prevent such murders in the future. He further demanded the government to take steps to protect the activists.