Thanjavur: Pass resolution against oil drilling plans, says opposition

Thanjavur: Members of various opposition parties like CPI, CPI (M), DMK and MDMK participated in a demonstration against proposed hydrocarbon projects in the Cauvery delta before the head post office here on Tuesday.

They demanded declaration of Cauvery delta as a protected agro zone, cancel the proposed hydrocarbon project that would convert delta into desert if implemented, not to lay pipelines for taking gas in cultivable lands, efforts by Tamil Nadu government to get due share of Cauvery water from Karnataka as per Supreme court order etc.

S.S. Palanimanickam, Thanjavuir MP (DMK), G. Palanisamy, National council member of CPI, V.Duraimanickam, general secretary of Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal sangam affiliated to CPI, Sami Nadarajan, state vice-president of Tamil Nadu VIvasayigal Sangam affiliated to CPI(M), G. Neelamegam, district secretary of CPI(M), G. Udhayakumar, district secretary of MDMK, Ayyanapuram Murugesan of Thamizhar Desiya Munnani, Chokka Ravi of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Amarsingh, district president of DK, were among those who participated in the agitation. Later he told the presspersons that pipelines for taking gas are laid in cultivable lands without even asking farmers who are against it.

Tamil Nadu government should convene the Assembly session and pass a resolution cancelling all projects for which people are against in Tamil Nadu. It should also reiterate the two language policy followed by C.N. Annadurai, former chief minister.

“State and Central government may target those who agitate against proposed hydrocarbon project as it did in agitation against Sterlite copper smelter unit in Thoothukudi. But they can't deter us. We should oppose proposed hydrocarbon project in unision,” added Palanimanickam.