Tamil Nadu - Tirunelveli   

Nanguneri MLA, Congress cadres arrested

Staff Reporter

TIRUNELVELI : The Nanguneri MLA, H. Vasanthakumar, and over 300 Congress cadres and the public courted arrest on Monday when they, defying police ban, tried to observe fast at Valliyoor protesting mining of sand on the Nambiyar riverbed. Though sand mining on Nambiyar riverbed was banned by the Madras High Court some years ago after Radhapuram MLA, M. Appavu, filed a petition against sand mining, it was revoked recently and permission was given for opening a sand quarry at several points of this riverbed, situated in the rain shadow region of the district.

Protesting this, Mr. Vasanthakumar recently announced that series of agitations would be organised.

The protestors were arrested and taken to a private marriage hall. However, they were released around 1 p.m.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Vasanthakumar said sand mining in this region had led to the collapse of a check dam at Mayilapudur and ground water in several villages had gone down alarmingly.

"Explaining this situation, I forwarded letters to the Chief Minister on last November 12, 15, 21, 22, 23, 26 and 27. However, permission has been granted for sand quarrying activities on this riverbed, which cannot be accepted," Mr. Vasanthakumar said. Mr. Appavu has also forwarded a letter to the Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi, with the same demand.

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