Villagers protest against private firm ‘polluting’ groundwater

They allege effluents let out by it affect people in surrounding villages

RAMANATHAPURAM

People of the coastal Panaikulam panchayat and members of CITU-affiliated Tamil Nadu Meenpidi Thozhirsanga Koottamaippu took out a rally and staged a demonstration at Panaikulam near here on Saturday, demanding the closure of ‘South Ganga’ a private firm which, they alleged, polluted groundwater.

Carrying the “polluted water” in pots, a large number of women participated in the protest, alleging that the private firm, which had been functioning at Krishnapuram village for about 12 years, completely spoiled groundwater by letting out ‘chemical effluents’ along the coast and waterbodies.

Though the firm had commenced operation as desalination plant to supply treated water to private power plants, it started releasing effluents in the open along the coastline and a village pond, thus polluting groundwater table, H. John Soundararajan, CITU district president, said.

The villagers who had been drawing water from the pond for bathing and washing purposes could not touch the water now, he said, adding the effluents posed serious health hazards to the local people.

After consuming the water, Suresh (16), a class X boy, and Murugan (27) had died, and Alexander (14), a school student, and Panneerselvam (27) were undergoing treatment in private hospitals for kidney ailments, M. Karunamurthy, district secretary of the Koottamaippu, said.

R. Karumalayan, CITU State deputy general secretary, who led the protest, said the CITU proposed to take up the issue with the green tribunal and move the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court if the district administration failed to close down the private firm.

He also urged the government to pay compensation to the families of the deceased and bear the medical expenses of the two persons undergoing treatment.

A veil of secrecy prevailed here as the company never allowed local village leaders to visit the factory, K. Chinnathambi, leader of Krishnapuram people, said. The effluents had polluted groundwater in at least six villages in the panchayat, he said.

The private firm could not be contacted for its comments.

When contacted, Collector S. Natarajan said officials from the District Food Safety Wing visited the private firm and the nearby villages. A team of experts had been constituted to study the situation, he said, adding “necessary action will be taken after the team submitted its report”.