Amid the raging controversy over NLC India Ltd.’s (NLCIL) destruction of fertile farmlands in Melvalayamadevi village near Chidambaram in Cuddalore district last week, two MLAs, V.P. Nagaimaali of Kilvelur and M. Chinnadurai of Gandarvakottai belonging to the Communist Party of India (M) were prevented by the police from visiting Melvalayamadevi village on Tuesday.
Mr. Nagaimaali and Mr. Chinnadurai, accompanied by members of the CPI (M), were stopped near Sethiyathope. Even though they assured the police that they were only going there to meet the farmers, the uniformed personnel prevented them from continuing their journey.
Mr. Nagaimaali objected to the “high-handed” behaviour of the police and charged that NLCIL was resorting to oppressive measures against farmers and their supporters. He accused the police of creating a tense situation with the large-scale deployment of police personnel in the area. The approach of the police was not justified and it exposed their intent to convert the whole area into a battleground, he alleged.
