Activists, residents and political parties are crying hoarse over the threat of police action against those spreading rumours against the 24x7 water supply project.
The city corporation had lodged a complaint with the police on Monday in this regard. Based on the complaint, the city police have registered a first information report. No one has been specifically named in the complaint.
“How fair is it to register case against the people, who raise questions against a project?” asked Singanallur MLA N Karthik. “At a time when there is no representation of people in the corporation council, where would people raise their apprehensions other than in social media? It is important to know the views of the public when taking an important decision,” he told TOI.
The civic body should have consulted the MLAs in the city to know the mindset of the people, Karthik said, adding that the project lacks transparency.
“The civic body’s move is more like curtailing the freedom of speech and expression,” said former MP PR Natrajan. “Instead, the corporation should have listen to the questions raised by public and allay their apprehensions.”
Vanitha Mohan, president of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s local chapter, however said rumours should be nipped in the bud. “Rumours against the project are creating anxiety and insecurity. It is the responsibility of the civic body to check it,” she said.
K Kathirmathiyon of Coimbatore Consumer Forum said that when the civic body has already communicated that the water tariff would be fixed only by corporation in concurrence with the government, public need not worry about the price on water.