Stone hurled at MLA during pond desilting inauguration near Sulur

COIMBATORE: Tension gripped Nagamma Naickenpalayam near Sulur in Coimbatore district on Friday after unidentified persons allegedly hurled stones at Sulur TVK MLA NM Sukumar during the inauguration of desilting work of a pond.

Key points

• After the incident, office-holders from the Revenue Department and Water Resources Department held discussions with locals in the presence of the MLA to explain the desilting plan.
• A pond at Nagamma Naickenpalayam is a major water source for the area.
• He continued that the administration has allocated Rs 512 crore to desilt water bodies throughout the state.
• Nevertheless, a section of locals, allegedly triggered by opposition parties, resisted the work alleging that it was a plan to bring treated sewage water to the pond.
• It is planned to desilt the water body and clear the waterways that bring water to the pond.

For context, a pond at Nagamma Naickenpalayam is a major water source for the area. Locals remarked rainwater stored in the pond helps recharge wells and borewells and supports agriculture. To augment groundwater recharge, the water body was planned to be desilted.

Nevertheless, a section of locals, allegedly triggered by opposition parties, resisted the work alleging that it was a plan to bring treated sewage water to the pond. As a section of residents confirmed a protest against the desilting, police protection was provided for the event.

On Friday, those opposing the project raised slogans against the plan. As the situation turned into a scuffle, someone from the crowd pelted a stone at the MLA, but it landed before him, sources remarked.

Speaking to media, MLA Sukumar remarked the desilting work was resisted by some locals under the impression that only the treated sewage water would be brought to the pond.

"That is not the plan. It is planned to desilt the water body and clear the waterways that bring water to the pond. Once it rains, the water body will receive water without any matter and it will definitely recharge groundwater sources, " he stated.

He continued that the administration has allocated Rs 512 crore to desilt water bodies throughout the state. "At Nagamma Naickenpalayam, along with the government's effort, some NGOs and volunteers are involved in the desilting work. I came for its inauguration and some individuals attempted to prevent us. It was handled by the police. There are 245 ponds in Sulur constituency alone and we have submitted an estimate for desilting and setting up a treatment plant at Sulur twin lakes, " he remarked.

In short, stone hurled at MLA during pond desilting inauguration near Sulur is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.