The AIADMK and the PMK have announced separate protests against the State government's decision to acquire agriculture lands for a greenfield airport.
The AIADMK demonstration will hold a demonstration at Sriperumbudur on Wednesday while PMK leader S. Ramadoss will lead his party's protest at Tiruvallur on August 23.
In a statement here, AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa alleged that acquisition of 6,921 acres spread across over 20 villages would deprive the farmers of their livelihood.
“At a time agriculture production in the State is decreasing, acquiring land for greenfield airport will further aggravate the situation. Moreover, schools, colleges and places of worship will face demolition,” she said.
Recalling the police action against villagers who tried to meet the Tiruvallur Collector a few days ago, she wanted to know why the Chief Minister was maintaining silence even after she raised the issue.
AIADMK MP V. Maitrayen will lead the protest. Kancheepuram (west) district secretary V. Somasundaram, Tiruvallur district secretary V. Moorthy, Tiruttani MLA K. Ari, Gummidipoondi MLA K.S.Vijayakumar and Ponneri MLA P. Balaraman will take part.
Dr. Ramadoss said though he was not against the idea of a greenfield airport on the lines of the airports created in Bangalore and Hyderabad, the government should not resort to forceful eviction.
He wanted the government to explain what had happened to non-agricultural lands already acquired in Sriperumbudur. “Were the lands given to multi-national companies and a few other private parties?”
Dr. Ramadoss said the government should consider acquiring lands available around south, north and western parts of Chennai since it would affect only a few people.
