Cadres of Communist Party of India (Marxist), led by MLA A. Soundararajan, thronged the Collectorate here on Thursday seeking the intervention of the authorities to initiate action against persons attempting to usurp 915 acres of farmers’ lands at Deivaseyalpuram. While talking to reporters, Mr. Soundarajan said , the CPI(M) cadres had organised a meeting at Deivaseyalpuram on September 23 to draw public attention to the issue, when a few men allegedly instigated by the land mafia threatened K.S. Arjunan, district secretary . The threats continued even after reaching the Pudukottai police station to lodge a complaint , Mr. Soundararajan said.
Hence, immediate action should be taken against the culprits to safeguard the lands and protect the farmers, he added.
The agitating cadres, including farmers from Deivaseyalpuram, wanted to go en masse and submit the petition seeking action against the land mafia, but the police personnel, led by Tuticorin (Town) Assistant Superintendent of Police P. Arun Sakthi Kumar, prevented them from entering the premises. Eight persons, including the MLA, K. Kanagaraj, state executive council member, and Mr. Arjunan were allowed to submit the petition to District Revenue Officer S. Murugaiah, who assured them to takethe issue to the notice of higher authorities for necessary action. Subsequently, a petition was also submitted to Superintendent of Police Ashwin M. Kotnis.
Barricades were erected at five locations on the Collectorate premises.
Mr. Soundararajan said the land mafia was behind attempts to usurp huge tracts of land used for cultivation. While Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had informed Assembly that land grabbing was prevented and lands worth Rs.1,000 crore were retrieved in the State, attempts were on to create fake documents to usurp 915 acres of land at Deivaseyalpuram with the help of officials.
The SP said Pudukottai police had filed a case against P. Mathiyan alias Ramasamy and P. Perumal for threatening Mr. Arjunan based on his complaint and necessary action would be taken against them.
