The protest against the hydrocarbon exploration and extraction project at Neduvasal entered the 19th day on Monday with the agitators remaining firm on the demand for a categorical assurance from the Centre that the project would be shelved.
Groups of farmers from some of the neighbouring villages visited Neduvasal to extend support to the protest. A group of women of Anavayal participated in the protest by singing ‘dirge’ ( oppari ) decrying the project. A group of persons with disabilities from other parts of the district visited the village expressing solidarity with the protesting farmers.
In the evening, a group of women also lit akal vilakkus (earthen lamps) at the protest venue. A few film personalities and a group of youth from Pattukottai also participated in the stir.
Protests by villagers continued at Nallandarkollai and Vadakadu villages on Monday. Villagers in Keeramangalam, another neighbouring village, staged a demonstration in support of farmers in Neduvasal on Monday.
Vasan weighs in
Accusing the Centre of being a ‘mute spectator’ to the protests being resorted to by the villagers of Neduvasal against the hydrocarbon exploration project, Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) president G.K. Vasan said that the Centre should give up the project if the State government remains firmly opposed to it. The support from political parties and other organisations besides the general public to the protests against the project was increasing every day, Mr. Vasan said.
Meanwhile, DMK Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi said that her party would raise the issue of the growing opposition to the hydrocarbon project in Parliament. In a brief interaction with reporters, Ms. Kanimozhi said the DMK would also raise other crucial issues such as the new education policy.
The Tamil Nadu government should take steps to reduce the prices of petrol and diesel, she said.
