Alleging that quarrying activities had made it inconvenient for persons to visit the Mahaan Sakkarai Peer Olivulla Dargah, Keezhavalavu villagers told U. Sagayam, the Madras High Court-appointed Legal Commissioner, that the paths leading up to the dargah had been encroached upon in many parts.
Mr. Sagayam was in the area on Saturday for an inspection of the illegal quarries. Locals took him to the dargah, which is more than 350 years old and located on the ‘Sakkarai Peer’ hillock.
“The dargah is a revered place of worship which attracts devotees from many surrounding districts. When we tried to protest the quarrying activities and submit representations to the police, we were manhandled and ignored,” Jamath president Mohammed Kasim said.
Quarrying in the ‘Sakkarai peer’ hills began in 1997 under the Tamil Nadu Minerals Limited (TAMIN), which had leased out the area to private companies. Quarrying activities were stopped in 2012.
The villagers further alleged that a drinking water source near the dargah had been polluted by chemicals from explosives used in the quarries.
Questions raised
Mr. Sagayam questioned officials from the Revenue Department as to how quarrying had been allowed in close proximity to important historic sites at the Panchapandavar Hillock.
Hearing the appeal of a farmer who had been denied permission to build a small house more than 300 metres from the site, Mr. Sagayam expressed shock at how close the hillock had come to being completely destroyed.
The 27-acre Sirumanickam tank in Keezhavalavu, which had been partially affected by granite blocks dumped on the tank bunds, was also inspected. Panchayat president P.V. Dharmalingam said the channels carrying water to the tank had been destroyed.
Mr. Sagayam further raised questions about the quarrying activities allowed on ‘natham poromboke’ lands in the village and said that they were meant for villagers to be used as a common space.
He asked for relevant documents relating to the current status of grazing lands, cremation and burial grounds in the area to be submitted to him.
