Demanding that the Cauvery delta be declared a protected agricultural zone, Pattali Makkal Katchi leader Anbumani Ramadoss on Saturday called upon the people of the delta region to rise above their differences and unite in the struggle to protect their land and livelihood, which are “facing a threat due to hydrocarbon exploration and petrochemical zone projects.”
“The livelihood of farmers and fisherfolk is under threat due to projects such as hydrocarbon exploration and promotion of petrochemical investment zone in the delta. The only way to thwart such projects is to get the Cauvery delta declared a protected agricultural zone through legislation,” Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss said launching the three-day campaign at Parangipettai in Cuddalore district in the wake of the recent signing of contracts for exploration of hydrocarbons in three blocks in Tamil Nadu.
‘Ready to fight’
The PMK, he said, would not allow the execution of any project which would displace the people or undermine their livelihood.
“This is our land, which has been feeding us down the ages. We will have to preserve it for future generations. Come what may, we will not allow our land to be defiled. We are prepared to face paramilitary forces or even the army; we are prepared for any sacrifice,” he declared covering various villages en route to mobilise public support for the cause before addressing a public meeting in Kumbakonam in the evening.
The campaign, he said, was only a first step in the fight for the cause and the next would be continuous struggle: “We will approach the issue politically and legally.”
The DMK, he contended, was no better and alleged that the party had permitted the establishment of a petrochemical zone when M.K. Alagiri was the Union Minister. The area of cultivation had already shrunk in the delta. Huge quantity of surplus water was flowing into the sea for want to storage infrastructure.