Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Residents put off protest as police deny permission

Staff Reporter

TAMBARAM: Residents of Pozhichalur, on Thursday, put off a day-long hunger strike against the proposed land acquisition for Chennai airport expansion, as they did not get police permission.

The residents, who had gathered under Gnaanamani, DMK president of the Pozhichalur panchayat decided to hold it on another day. However, they made it clear that they would never give up their struggle until the State Government came out with a clear reply. Residents alleged that the police were attempting to clamp down on all forms of democratic struggles they planned to organise.

Meanwhile, some residents of Pozhichalur and areas covered under the proposed land acquisition scheme met Kancheepuram Collector R.Venkatesan and submitted their grievance. The delegation included L. Selvarajan, president of the Federation of residents' welfare associations of Pozhichalur, Sivarajan, memebr and V. Santhanam, president of New Colony residents' welfare association.

Later at a meeting held at Mariya Nivas Matriculation School on Bajanai Koil Street, Pozhichalur, residents decided to intensify their struggle as there was no response yet from the Government agencies.

Muthu Pandian, president of the Kancheepuram district unit of the Federation of Merchants Associations of Tamil Nadu said all shops in the area would be closed on Tuesday as a mark of protest. Residents also decided to pull down hoardings of parties and deface election related paintings.

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