The villagers around Kavuthimalai and Vediyappan in Chengam taluk on Friday urged the State to approach the Supreme Court (SC) to stop the iron ore mining project, which was proposed by Tamil Nadu Iron Ore Mining Corporation (TIMCO).
They demanded the administration to conduct a referendum to get the opinion of the people regarding the project. The villagers demand this during a protest held in front of the taluk office in Tiruvannamalai town. Around 1,500 persons from more than 10 villages took part in the protest.
“ We have urged the Tamil Nadu government to approach the SC to stop the project immediately. We also wanted Tiruvannamalai Collector to conduct a public hearing to get people’s opinion,” said president of Federation of Kavuthimalai-Vediyappanmalai Protection Movements L Alagesan.
“The project will also have an adverse impact in and around Girivalam path, holy Annamalai hills and Tiruvannamalai town,” he said.The federation members also submitted a petition to the officials at taluk office.