Members attached to the Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Association protested against the proposed SIPCOT expansion project near Cheyyar, in front of the Collectorate in Tiruvannamalai on Wednesday.
The farmers said that residents in the affected nine villages near Cheyyar town have been protesting for more than three months against the proposed project. Several cases have been booked against 31 farmers, who have been opposing the project.
The police have also registered 17 cases against A. Arul, a social activist, who is currently in jail under Goondas Act. “The State government should withdraw all cases registered against the farmers immediately. The Goondas Act against Mr. Arul should be revoked. The proposal to acquire cultivable lands for the project should be dropped,” said R. Velusamy, State president, Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Association.
