Many weak compound walls demolished, Seeman, Natarajan console families

Along with it, the compound walls of few other residents on the same stretch were also demolished after they too were found to be weak. A little portion of the controversial wall was brought down around 8.30 am by pressing two earth-movers.

In addition, the compound walls running to a length of 578 feet built by few other residents on the same stretch were also pulled down by the district administration.

The families, however, opposed the demolition of their compound walls, raising security concerns. They also alleged that they were not given prior notice on thedemolition move.

Following this, the revenue officials held talks with the residents and convinced them by explaining the danger posed by their weak structures before going ahead with its plan to bring down the compound walls.

The administration took the demolition drive following persistent demands from Dalit outfits and residents of Nadur village to pull down weak walls prone to collapse in their neighbourhood. Seventeen persons were buried alive after a damp wall of a textile shop owner fell resulting in the collapse of three tile-roofed houses earlyon Monday.  

The police have arrested the textile shop owner, but Opposition political parties were demanding action against the municipal administration officials for failing to act on the complaint from the residents.

The entire length of the demolished wall along the stretch was over 10 feet in height. The demolition drive was undertaken amidst tight security overseen by ADGP (law and order) Jayanth Murali and Superintendent of Police Sujit Kumar and officials of the Revenue Department. Officials have advised the residents to construct the compound wall to a lesser height of few feet alone.

Meanwhile, Naam Tamilar Katchi leader Seeman, who visited Mettupalayam, faulted the negligence by officials to have caused the death of 17 persons.  “They should build new houses on the same spot. Also the cases booked against the protesters should be revoked,” he said.

Coimbatore MP Natarajan also visited the place and consoled thebereaved families.