Villagers protest SIPCOT industrial park in Melur

Residents from 18 villages in Melur protested against the planned establishment of a SIPCOT industrial park on Sunday. They gathered to voice their concerns over the impact the project could have on their grazing land and local places of worship. The proposed industrial park is set to cover 279 acres. More than 700 villagers participated in the protest. They came from areas including Nagappan, Sivalpatti, and Kambalipatti, part of three panchayats: Vanjinagaram, Boothamangalam, and Kodukapatti. The protesters expressed fears that the project could damage historical and archaeological sites, as well as water bodies in the area. Selvaraj, a social activist, highlighted that the location is home to several local temples and significant archaeological evidence. He called for the government to conduct an archaeological study before any construction begins. He argues that the protection of historical sites is crucial for future generations. Selvaraj also warned that the SIPCOT project, if allowed to proceed, could lead to further development and pollution in the area. He urged the district administration and state government to reconsider the project based on examples from other regions where similar developments have had harmful effects on local environments and communities.