

PUDUCHERRY: Communist Party of India (CPI) activists on Tuesday broke empty pots in front of the Ozhukarai Municipality protesting against the apathy of the Local Administration Minister and officials in laying pipelines in Pitchaveeranpet area.
Dinesh Ponniah, a CPI leader, said that the people of the area had in the past made several representations with the authorities about the problem. He said the issue was even brought to the notice of Local Administration Minister N G Panneerselvam, also the elected representative of the area.
The CPI leader claimed that the Municipal officials had surveyed the area and come up with a plan to lay new pipelines in Pitchaveeranpet. For some reasons, Minister Panneerselvam intervened and asked the officials not to go ahead with the work, he alleged.
The Minister had stopped officials from continue with the work as the survey was done without his knowledge, Ponnaiah alleged.
He warned of agitations if the authorities failed to find a solution to the severe drinking water crisis in the area.
Meanwhile, CPI state unit secretary R Viswanathan also addressed the protestors who were led by Nalavendan and Devasagayam.