Jayalalithaa would have said ‘no’ to smart city at people’s cost

Thanjavur: The Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) will join with the people and protest against demolition of hundreds of houses in west and north alankams for renovation of big moat area under ‘smart city scheme’ in Thanjavur, said M. Rangasamy, former MLA and treasurer of AMMK here on Tuesday.

He met people in west and north alankam areas, to whom city corporation has issued notices for demolition of houses for smart city scheme. Later he told presspersons that these people have been living in these areas for nearly 100 years and for generations. It is not proper to displace them and demolish their houses.

“Our (AMMK) general secretary T.T.V. Dhinkaran has condemned this action by city corporation strongly. He will also raise this issue in Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. When I was MLA, I spoke at the smart city discussion meetings that people should not be displaced and that moat could be renovated and beautified from inside without disturbing people living on its outer area. I stopped demolition of houses at Keela alankam by talking to district collector when I was MLA. But later the houses were demolished. Now notices for demolition of houses in west and north alankams have been issued by the city corporation. No anti-people scheme was allowed when J.Jayalalithaa was Chief Minister.

Now all schemes opposed by people are allowed in the state by this government. Government should explore alternatives for implementing smart city scheme without displacing and disturbing people. We will go to court and get a stay for the demolition of houses. We will also join with people and agitate,” he said.