Protests against the survey of land and other properties for the proposed Salem–Chennai ‘green corridor’ project continued for the third day in Salem district on Wednesday. However, officials of the Revenue Department went ahead with their task and undertook the survey work in Velliyampatti, Valasaiyur, Kullampatti and Sukkampatti villages.
A large posse of police personnel was posted in these villages to prevent farmers and others from disrupting the work and to provide protection to the officials.
At Velliyampatti village, a group of farmers complained to the authorities that acquisition of their fertile lands would render them landless, thus affecting their livelihood. The revenue and police officials convinced them and suggested to them to participate in the public hearing convened by the district administration on July 6.
The farmers said the Collector had already informed them about the public hearing.
However, they took exception to the survey work and the installation of marker stones.
In all these villages, farmers demanded increased compensation. Some farmers demanded government jobs for their wards.
Official sources said the survey work went on smoothly in all the villages.
Valarmathi remanded
Meanwhile, M. Valarmathi, student activist, who was arrested by the Veeranam police at Achankuttapatti village on the charge of instigating the local people against the eight-lane road project, was remanded in judicial custody and lodged in the women’s prison in the city late on Tuesday.
The Veeranam police have registered cases under Sections 353 IPC (preventing government servant from discharging duty) and 506 (ii) (criminal intimidation) against Valarmathi, police sources said.