Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

Pig farmers may face Goondas Act

TIRUCHI: Tiruchi Corporation is exploring the possibility of invoking Goondas’ Act against pig-rearers in the city.

Those found rearing pigs in city limits and causing problems to public health will be subjected to stringent legal action, irrespective of their political leanings, Mayor Sarubala R. Tondaiman said on Monday.

An impromptu press conference was convened after members of CPI–Marxist attempted to let pigs into Corporation premises to express protest against the inaction of the local body to complaints of nuisance caused by loitering pigs in wards 28, 29 and 7 in Ariyamangalam area.

The partymen, who had conducted a similar agitation at the Corporation’s Ariyamangalam zonal office during September to draw the attention of the local body, however, backed off after the intervention of Transport Minister K.N. Nehru who assured prompt action by the local body.

The Mayor said that all-party committees, which would also include Corporation officials, conservancy workers and sanitary supervisors, had been formed.

Naming the individuals against whom show cause notices had been served, she acknowledged that the pig menace was high in wards 59 and 60 of Woraiyur as well.

The Corporation had received complaints of pigs biting the public in Ariyamangalam, the Mayor said.

Since last month, the Corporation had served notices on 18 persons. They had not responded and hence the action would be initiated, Corporation Commissioner T.T. Balsamy said. About 107 pigs found loitering in 10 wards were caught last month, he added.

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