DMK working president M.K. Stalin on Sunday condemned the arrest of villagers in Kadiramangalam in Thanjavur, who have been protesting against ONGC oil wells, and sought their immediate release. He also demanded that the police force be withdrawn from the village.
Mr. Stalin, in a statement, criticised the State government for quelling the protest in a violent manner using police force.
“The manner in which the government has handled villagers who demonstrated against the ONGC wells that were leaking shows that this is an anti-people government,” he charged.
The Leader of the Opposition said the government, by using such force against its own people, was violating their human rights.
He accused the government of using tainted police officers to quell the protests using force.
While questioning the ministers’ silence aver the leakage of oil from the ONGC well, he pointed out that May 17 Movement leader Thirumurugan Gandhi had been detained under the Goondas Act for staging a protest outside the Indian Oil Corporation office in Chennai.
Plea to CM
“I request the Chief Minister to immediately release all the farmers and the general public arrested in Kadiramangalam and withdraw the police force from the village. The cases filed against them should also be withdrawn and the government should solve the water crisis there,” he said.
Mr. Stalin also urged the State government to stop any work that was harming people’s safety and the environment.
In a separate statement, DMDK president Vijayakant wanted those arrested to be released without any conditions. He said the State and the Centre should give up the project which has been opposed by the people.
Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi general secretary M. Tamimun Ansari too said the police should respect the sentiments of the villagers and act responsibly.
