TN farmers protest BPCL pipeline project, seek higher compensation and end to police intimidation

Key points

• While addressing reporters, Easan Murugasamy, founder of the Tamilaga Vivasayigal Pathukappu Sangam (TVPS), said, "To transport petrol and diesel at…
• The demonstration was in response to the pipeline construction work being carried out with police protection at Olapalayam, Kangeyam, on…
• Following the protest, farmers and representatives of various political parties met Collector Manish Narnaware and submitted a petition.
• The protest also demanded that compensation be fixed at Rs 2 lakh per cent for the farmers' land.

TIRUPPUR: Hundreds of farmers affected by the Irugur-Devangonthi Pipeline Project (IDPL) by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) protested in front of the collectorate on Monday demanding that the state government avoid using police to intimidate farmers who are protesting the project. The protest also demanded that compensation be fixed at Rs 2 lakh per cent for the farmers’ land.

The demonstration was in response to the pipeline construction work being carried out with police protection at Olapalayam, Kangeyam, on Monday.

While addressing reporters, Easan Murugasamy, founder of the Tamilaga Vivasayigal Pathukappu Sangam (TVPS), said, “To transport petrol and diesel at lower rates to Karnataka. It acts against Tamil Nadu farmers’ interest in the Cauvery water dispute and border matters, the state government and the district administration of Tiruppur are forcibly seizing agricultural land of TN farmers by using police.

There is already a policy decision that pipelines should not be laid through agricultural land and that such projects should only be implemented along the roadside. However, the administration is implementing the project by intimidating farmers through the police.”

Furthermore, he said, “Highly low compensation is being paid for the farmers’ land. Steps should be taken to fix the compensation `2 lakh per cent.”

Following the protest, farmers and representatives of various political parties met Collector Manish Narnaware and submitted a petition. The Collector, who received the petition, assured to take appropriate action.