Irked over the alleged inaction of authorities in relaying roads, cadre of Communist Party of India (CPI) and a few residents of Pakkamudayanpet on Monday staged a novel protest before the Public Works Department (PWD). They called it as ‘petitioning to donkey protest.’
They brought a donkey by mini-van from outskirts to the PWD office situated at the city’s prime boulevard area. After the animal alighted from the vehicle, the protesters dragged the animal near the office building. They gave representations in the form of printed notices and some tried to feed the animal with the printed material.
The animal refused to take what they gave and stood as passive spectator.
The protesters shouted slogans against the officials of the PWD and the ruling government in the Union Territory of Puducherry for failing to relay road.
According to the protesters, the main road that connect Pakkamudayanpet, Kottupalayam, Saintpaulpet, Pudupet in Thattanchavadi constituency remain potholed for long. Motorists who cross the roads met with frequent accidents. There was no response from the officials of PWD to their representations seeking to relay the road.
K. Sethuselvam, CPI functionary said, “We gave several representations to the officials and conducted signature campaign asking them to take up the relaying expeditiously but even after receipt of such representations, the officials did not act upon them. Then we put banner highlighting the deplorable condition of road. The residents again staged road blockade to draw attention of the authorities. Still the authorities are showing scant regard to our demands.”
The protesters also warned of closing the PWD office if there is no action on their plea and dispersed from the spot.
