Residents of four villages on Thursday laid siege to a private soft drink manufacturing unit at Suriyur near here demanding its closure.
Talks by revenue officials notwithstanding, the villagers continued their protest for over six hours vehemently opposing the functioning of the plant in the village.
Many women took part in the protest.
Residents of Periya Suriyur, Chinna Suriyur, Ilanthaipatti, and Kanthalur assembled in front of the plant and raised slogans, police sources said.
Ever since the company began its operation a few years ago, the villagers had to face drinking water shortage as the firm had dug deep borewells to draw water for manufacturing soft drinks, the protesters said.
In due course of time, agricultural operations too were hit as water table plummeted to new lows. They also claimed that the company had not obtained necessary permission from the local body to construct the building. The villagers had made a representation to the district administration in this regard and had conducted an agitation over the issue a few months ago. Revenue Divisional Officer, Tiruchi, A.Basheer, and senior police officials rushed to the spot and held talks with the villagers.
The villagers finally dispersed after the officials assured them that they would be given an appointment to meet the Collector to convey their grievance in person.