NAGERCOIL: A tense situation prevailed in parts of Pechiparai when an AIADMK supporter attempted to immolate himself condemning the demolition of six houses of rubber workers for setting up a samathuvapuram on Monday.
Kanyakumari district has two Samathuvapurams at Kalingarajapuram and Chenbagaramanputhur. While the construction work for the third one at Lakshmipuram is nearing completion, the State government recently asked officials from the Revenue Department to acquire land for setting up the fourth one.
The officials selected 22 acre land belonging to the PWD near the power station at Pechiparai. Villagers residing near the station strongly objected to the move saying that it would pave way for demolition of houses belonging to rubber workers. Subsequently, many huts popped up on the selected land in protest.
Enraged officials brought the issue to the notice of the Collector, who on October 30 requested the officials to go ahead with demolition of houses that encroached upon the government land.
On Monday, a team of officials, headed by Padmanabhapuram RDO Murugavel, visited the spot with three bulldozers. On sensing protest from the villagers, a large number of police personnel, led by Thuckalay DSP Shanmugam, Keeriparai inspector Prakash and Thukalay inspector Sudesan, were deployed to prevent any untoward incidents.
Many rubber workers refused to leave the house which led to the arrest of the 11 persons, including five women. On hearing the news, supporters of various political parties rushed to the spot and urged the officials to stop destroying the houses.
Former AIADMK councillor Rajan, who has been strongly opposing the establishment of the Samathuvapuram at Pechiparai, poured kerosene and attempted to commit suicide before police rescued and arrested him. Unaffected by the protest, the officials went on to demolish six houses.