Residents of Kadiramangalam village in Thanjavur district, where a sit-in protest entered its 365th day on Saturday, have renewed their resolve to oust the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) from the village to protect the environment and their livelihood.
A section of the villagers has been holding a relay sit-in protest at the Ayyanar temple complex for the past one year, asking the District Collector to visit them and give an assurance to fulfil their demands.
A special meet organised on Saturday saw fiery speeches from Tamil nationalists and fringe elements, who accused the Centre of “wreaking havoc on Tamil Nadu”. They also flayed the Union government for its alleged attempts to lay waste to the entire Cauvery delta region through incessant oil exploration, and for its “clandestine plan” to hand over the region to petrochemical complexes on a platter.
Those who spoke on the occasion included World Tamilar Peramaippu founder P. Nedumaran, Naam Tamizhar Katchi Chief Coordinator Seeman, Tamizhar Vazhvurimai Katchi founder T. Velmurugan, Cauvery Rights Retrieval Forum coordinator P. Maniyarasan, Anti Methane Movement Coordinator P. Jayaraman, DMK MLA representing Tiruvidaimarudur Assembly constituency Kovi Chezhian and cine director Gauthaman, among others.
Plays, skits organised
Cultural events by troupes from the village, promoted by some of the socio-political organisations, enlivened the proceedings. Plays and skits were performed, highlighting how oil exploration had “devastated and denuded” Kadiramangalam and the delta region, how oil exploration had depleted ground water resources, the benefits of sustainable agricultural practices and the need to declare the entire region a protected agricultural zone.
Last year’s drought, coming on top of a harsh summer, resulted in depletion of groundwater in the village, forcing the residents to rise in revolt against the ONGC’s operations.
On May 17, 2017, there was an oil leak, which stoked fear among the villagers. Soon, the whole village rose as one against the ONGC and the campaign to oust it kicked off on May 19 last. Some villagers gathered at the Ayyanar temple complex and began a sit-in stir, which continues to this day.
