VELLORE: Kalathur village’s three-month-long battle against the sand mafia has attracted the attention of political parties, with DMDK chief Vijayakanth and VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan visiting the village on Monday to show solidarity with the villagers.
Kalathur village, with close to 270 families, welcomed the support of the leaders but declared that they will not be divided on political lines and will not allow the environmental issue to be politicised. Actor-turned-politician Vijayakanth told villagers not to look at him as a politician but accept his support on the issue. He stressed the importance of not allowing natural resources to be plundered. He visited the Palar riverbed site for the proposed sand quarry that remains stalled following objections from the villagers.
The villagers gathered in front of a temple at the village and have been camping there in tents. They are also cooking and consuming food as a group. This, according to villagers, is to symbolise their unity on the issue. The DMDK leader met villagers at the camp and interacted with them for nearly half an hour. Two hours after he left, it was Thirumavalavan’s turn to express his solidarity. He, however, addressed the issue on caste lines by saying that Dalits are facing such problems in the State and law-enforcement agencies are acting against the community.
He declared that the party will stage a protest at Ranipet on June 19 to highlight the issue. He also assured that he would make every effort to bring the villagers lodged in the prison in connection with the protests on bail and help them fight the cases legally.
Rahul, a villager, said “We welcome the (politicians’) support but we will remain united and not be divided on political or community lines,” he said.
