Continuing their protest for the fifth consecutive day on Sunday, villagers of Neduvasal called for the immediate intervention of the State and Central governments for shelving the hydrocarbon project.
The protesters also wanted the dismantling of the infrastructure set up two decades ago in the village, and restoration of the agricultural land to the farmers.
R. Ramkumar, a resident, told The Hindu over the phone that the villagers had withdrawn the stir in March in order to ensure smooth conduct of public examination in an adjoining higher secondary school.
“The public address system set up on the grounds hampered the conduct of the public examination,” he said.
Further, the villagers wanted to give a clear signal to both governments that they would not allow the project to be implemented in Neduvasal at any cost. “Any temporary suspension should not be mistaken by the Centre as a sign of weakening. During the initial period, the media, leaders of political parties and nature lovers made a beeline to the village. But the scenario has totally changed now. We have to guard our fertile agricultural lands with all precautionary measures,” the villagers said.
Earlier, they took out a procession in support of their demands.
Several Makkal Viduthalai Communist Party activists, who attempted to proceed to Neduvasal from Pudukottai by motorbikes to express solidarity with the agitating villagers, were taken into custody.
Led by Kasi. Viduthalaikumaran, co-ordinator, they raised slogans in support of the villagers and urged the Centre to immediately come out with a categorical announcement on shelving the project.
The activists were let off later.
