The Communist Party of India (Marxist) organised a rally here against the proposed thermal power projects along the coastal areas in the district.
The rally condemned the general policy of sanctioning proposals for thermal power plants at the tail-end of the delta – one that would collectively jeopardise the livelihoods of fisherfolk, agriculturists and Dalits.
The Dalit Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), and the All India Agricultural Workers Union (AIAWU) participated in the rally that commenced at Anakovil and culminated with a public meeting at Tharangambadi.
According to, Selvam, union secretary, Tharangambadi CPI (M), the party opposed the proposed thermal power projects in the delta, which was the rice bowl of the State.
He said that the party would soon announce a blockade and in-situ protests on the very lands that were bought for the project.
The CPI (M) already led a demonstration amid multiple oppositions at the recently concluded public hearing here for the Rs.7,200 crore themal power project proposed by M/s Chettinadu Power Corporation Private Limited.
The project proposed to be set up at the proximity of the archaeologically protected Tharangambadi Danish Fort envisages use of imported coal form Indonesia that would also entail a captive jetty 1300 km from the shore. The project proposes an area use of 750 acres and an annual coal consumption of 3.4 million tonne.
The multiple oppositions have been replete with allegations of Dalit lands being taken over for these projects. The district has been witnessing sporadic protests from the fisherfolk from across 53 fishing habitations to the proposals to set up over six thermal power plants each with proposed captive jetties or ports to dock ships with imported coal.
The public hearings have also seen combined opposition from agriculturists, dalits, fisherfolk and environmentalists.
