Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Wednesday told the Legislative Assembly that the memorials of the linguistic martyrs like Thalamuthu and Natarajan at Moolakothalam would be protected.
Responding to DMK member Sudarsanam, who raised apprehension about the fate of the memorials in the wake of the Slum Clearance Board’s plan to construct flats near the spot, Mr. Panneerselvam said no damage would be caused to the memorial as the land allotted for construction for flats was 300 metres away from them. The memorial of Dharmambal is 100 metres away.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the government had decided to construct houses for the poor people living in squalid condition in Moolakothalam. He also denied the allegation of MDMK general secretary Vaiko that the memorials would be demolished.
“He said the construction has been stopped following a representation made to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes.
An inquiry was conducted on March 17 and it will continue on March 23,” he said and accepted the proposal of DMK deputy leader Duraimurugan’s suggestion to send a team of DMK and AIADMK MLAs to inspect the area.
