MK Stalin's call to de-silt dry ponds goes awry

Chennai: DMK working president M.K. Stalin’s clarion call to de-silt bone-dry tanks across the state by party workers has gone awry at Agaranthen village near Tambaram after some suspected DMK workers were caught red handed selling de-silted sand.

Irked over the loot of alluvial soil from Agarenthen village local pond, villagers on Wednesday led by Neer Pasana Pathukappu Sangam took custody of a lorry filling the silted soil. Based on the public complaint Tambaram revenue divisional officer Ravichandran ordered the tashildar to inspect the site and confiscate the machinery used for the illegal act.         

“We were silent when the desilting work started last week hoping that the pond bund will be strengthened using the silt, but it seems that the miscreants have sold the silt to private parties. We have informed the revenue authorities and are awaiting action,” said K. Srikanth, secretary, Grama Neer Paasana Paathukaapu Sangam.

“If the intention was to de-silt the pond, villagers would have co-operated. The programme was flagged off by Alandur MLA T.M. Anbarasan and has now reached an anti-climax,” said another resident.

When contacted, Tambaram RDO Ravichandran, said the lorry used for transporting the sand has been seized by the tashildar. “We have taken up the issue with the department of mining and have sought a report after visiting the three acre water body. Based on the report, further action will be taken against those involved in the illegal act,” he said.