A group of farmers climbed a transmission tower to protest against the installation of High Tension power lines over farmlands near Karumathampatti here on Tuesday.
M. Suresh, a member of young farmers’ association, said that six farmers climbed up the tower at 11.15 a.m. at Semmandampalayam and another group sat at the foot of the tower to protest against the project.
He alleged that the police were not ready to listen to their grievances. S. Danalingam, Revenue Divisional Officer, Coimbatore South, visited the protest site, and chided the protesters and did not hold any talks, Mr. Suresh alleged.
When contacted, the police told The Hindu that no cases were registered against the protesters. However, late in the evening, the protesters climbed down the tower. Mr. Suresh said that the protest would resume on Wednesday.
A press release from P.R. Natarajan, MP, Coimbatore, said that the farmers feared that taking High Tension lines through their lands would affect their livelihood. The State Government is extending support to this project by the Power Grid Corporation by providing police protection. “The AIADMK government is working against the people who voted for it in the Sulur bypoll. I condemn the State Government using the police against the farmers,” he said.