VILLUPURAM: A mere Rs 5 lakh ‘donation’ is was what it took for the residents of Karadipakkam in Villupuram to sever nearly a century-old ties with Pidagam village, in the district. Lured by the sand mafia, which promised to donate Rs 5 lakh to construct a temple, the villagers gave their blessings to the former’s wanton exploitation of Thenpennai riverbed at the expense of their Pidagam neighbours.
Already reeling under acute water shortage, the residents of Pidagam joined the issue on Wednesday after their Karadipakkam counterparts refused to budge from their stand. According to sources, Karadipakkam and Pidagam lie close Thennpennai bank. Though there were some tension over sharing of river water, the relationship between the two villages was generally cordial for the past many generations.
The matters came to a head on Wednesday when Pidagam residents tried to talk Karadipakkam residents out of allowing the mafia to carry out mining unhindered. Members of the local Thennpennai Aatru Pathukappu Nala Sangam (Villupuram Thennpennai River Welfare Association) knocked at the collector’s doors a fortnight ago, urging him to crack whip on officials, who were sitting on their complaint, and bring the mining to a halt.
When their pleas failed to elicit a response, the Sangam members picketed the illegal mining site at Karadipakkam village and blockaded three earth movers and tipper lorries. Meanwhile, around 100 villagers from Karadipakkam reached the river bank and threw their lot with the miners, leading to a spat.
Sources said that a private contractor had lured Karadipakkam villagers by promising to pay Rs 5 lakh to build a new temple. The residents picked up a fight with the Pidagam residents, fearing that the contractor would renege on his promise if the work was affected. What with poor monsoon and already depleted water resources, the residents are forced to shell out a premium to the private tankers for water.
According to Gunasekar, a native of Pidagam and president of the VTRWA, the illegal mining has taken a huge toll on the bio-diversity of the region. Besides, indiscriminate water has brought the groundwater table down, as lack of sand prevents rainwater from percolating and it flows off the surface, without replenishing the groundwater table.
On information, the Thiruvennainallur police rushed to the spot and urged the villagers to disperse. When the activists refused to budge, revenue officials were roped in. A team of senior revenue and PWD officials arrived at the spot around 6 pm and temporarily suspended the mining activities. They also assured appropriate action against the sand mafia.
When contacted, collector Dr L Subramanian told Express that a special team of officials was inquiring into the matter. Once the report came in, appropriate action would be taken, he assured.
Sand mining mafia has been active in the district for the past many years. Despite residents protesting against the menace, little has been done to tackle it.