CHENNAI: A few days ago, the southern suburb Chitlapakkam had hit the headlines. The reason: Four residents of Chitlapakkam questioned unapproved civic works that civic officials of Chitlapakkam town panchayat had taken up on two streets.
Of the four activists, two from the flood-prone Chitlapakkam were arrested, after officials filed a case in Chitlapakkam police station and subsequently, the police slapped FIR against four activists - Kumar, Balachandar, Sunil Jayaram and Shivakumar. Later, Balachandar and Kumar were taken to Puzhal prison.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Sunil Jayaram, one of the activists, said, “We asked basic questions only. However, the officials on purpose filed a case against us. The case was fabricated. Even as we first filed a case, the police miserably failed to act on the complaint, however, they took the side of the officials.” This was a deliberate attempt to muzzle dissenting voices, he noted.
Sunil also said that the arrested activists were struggling even after they were released as both of them were instructed to sign in the registrar twice a day in Manimangalam police station. “Two days after the police filed the case against us, the board describing work order details was put up in the same place,” he noted.
Similarly, Jayaram Venkatesan, convener of Arappor Iyakkam, an organisation that fights for eliminating corruption, said, “The officials concerned should know the fact that every citizen has a right to ask questions. For merely questioning government officials, citizens should not be punished. We will continue our struggle to eradicate irregularities in any kind of work.” Justice would be done in this case, he said, exuding confidence.
P. Viswanathan, coordinator of Chitlapakkam Residents Welfare Association said, “All water channels in Chitlapakkam and adjacent areas should be restored, as they are hugely encroached. Surplus rainwater during the season would be stored in the nearby lakes and floods would also be avoided.” When contacted by Deccan Chronicle, P. Ponnaiah, District Collector of Kancheepuram, said that he was not pressurising police to file the cases against activists. “I thoroughly enquired with the civic officials and based on their complaints, I informed police to file case. As far as works are concerned, every work in Chitlapakkam is properly done as per norms,” he pointed out.
It may be noted that the quartet asked questions on the work orders for the storm water project on October 19, while the officials kept digging the road in Sethunarayanan and Ramanan streets.
