Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol. Thirumavalavan on Tuesday accused the Centre of betraying the people of Neduvasal, who have been voicing their opposition to the proposed hydrocarbon exploration project in their village.
Mr. Thirumavalavan, who visited the village to express his solidarity with its residents, who have been protesting for over a month now, pointed out that Union Minister Pon. Radhakrishnan and others had assured them that the Centre would not implement the hydrocarbon exploration project against the wishes of the people. The villagers then responded by withdrawing their stir. “But contrary to its assurance, the Centre has gone ahead with signing the agreement with the private company for the extraction of hydrocarbon in Neduvasal, forcing the people to resume their protest,” he said. “Implementing such projects against the wishes of the people is not a sign of good governance. The project will never be allowed [to go ahead] and the agitation will continue until it is shelved,” he added. T. Velmurugan, leader of the Tamizhar Vazhvurimai Katchi, who also visited Neduvasal on Tuesday, urged the State to pay attention to the issue and mount pressure on the Centre to stop the project.
