Tamil Nadu: PMK Protests Against Neyveli Lignite Corporation’s Land Acquisition For Mine Expansion

The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has announced a day-long protest against the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC)’s proposed land acquisition of 25000 acres of agricultural land for its mine expansion.

The land to be acquired is in villages like Valayamadevi, Keel Valayamadevi and Karivetti that surround the plant.

PMK and other political parties like the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) are also against the acquisition.

They have said that land acquisition at this stage is surprising because the Centre intends to privatise NLC soon.

AIADMK Interim General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) has said that tripartite discussions between the people, the NLC and the government should be held to resolve the issue raised by people like adequate compensation for land, jobs for the affected people etc.

The PMK has accused the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of being hand in glove with the Centre and company authorities on the issue while maintaining a confrontational attitude on other issues.

Over 7000 police personnel have been employed to ensure that no untoward incident occurs and minimum disturbance is caused to the general public.

The PMK led by the father son duo of S Ramadoss and Anbumani Ramadoss was part of the AIADMK alliance during the 2021 Assembly election. The Vanniyar community is its main support base.

NLC India Limited is a central public sector undertaking under the control of the Ministry of Coal. It is into mining of lignite (brown coal) and power generation.