Chennai: The Greater Chennai Corporation officials continued removing encroachments from Cooum river banks for the second day amid resistance from residents. On Saturday, a total of 130 families from Om Sakthi Nagar, Maduravoyal and 275 families from Rangoon Street near Greams Road were evicted by city corporation officials. Alternate houses have been provided for the evicted families at Gudapakkam and Perumbakkam through slum clearance board, corporation officials said.
On seeing officials with earth movers, residents of Rangoon street protested against razing their houses and raised slogans criticising the civic authorities. “Corporation officials did not consider our request and they were adamant in evicting us. Nearly 10 houses had been pulled down. They are going to demolish remaining houses tomorrow (Sunday),” said a resident of Rangoon Street.
Tension prevailed in the locality for a while as the public staged protest. Police personnel were deployed in both the localities to ensure law and order. It may be noted that on Friday, the Chennai Corporation evicted 387 families from Muthu Mariyamman Nagar, Arumbakkam, which is also located on the banks of Cooum river.
