Thekkalur villagers in Coimbatore's Anaikatti submit petition against illegal encroachment of water bodies and public lands by a private resort, forcing locals to crawl under fences to access their homes.
Coimbatore: Residents of Thekkalur village in Anaikatti, Coimbatore, have been forced to crawl under fences to access their homes after a private resort allegedly encroached upon public pathways. A video depicting this ordeal has gone viral on social media, highlighting the plight of the villagers.
On September 11, the affected residents submitted a petition to the Village Administrative Officer of Veerapandi Panchayat, Coimbatore District, detailing the encroachment of water bodies and government lands in survey numbers 1037, 1038/6, 1039/2,3,6,8, 1021/6, 1022, 1023, and 893.
The petition alleges that individuals associated with S.R. Resort have been illegally excavating and transporting soil and rocks from approximately 20 acres of water bodies and government poramboke land. This activity has reportedly been carried out day and night using heavy machinery, resulting in the destruction of waterways and demolition of check dams.
Villagers claim that the hillside has been cut vertically to a depth of over 30 feet, raising concerns about potential landslides during the rainy season. The encroachment has made it impossible for the public and livestock to use the area safely.
The petitioners have urged the Village Administrative Officer to conduct an immediate field inspection and bring the matter to the attention of the Tahsildar and Revenue Divisional Officer to halt the encroachments and assist the villagers.
The viral video shows Thekkalur's tribal residents crawling under a fence erected by the private resort, which has allegedly occupied their traditional pathway. This visual evidence has sparked outrage and calls for immediate action to restore public access and protect the rights of the local community.
Local authorities are expected to investigate the matter and take appropriate measures to address the villagers' concerns and ensure the preservation of public lands and water bodies in the area.
On September 11, the affected residents submitted a petition to the Village Administrative Officer of Veerapandi Panchayat, Coimbatore District, detailing the encroachment of water bodies and government lands in survey numbers 1037, 1038/6, 1039/2,3,6,8, 1021/6, 1022, 1023, and 893.
The petition alleges that individuals associated with S.R. Resort have been illegally excavating and transporting soil and rocks from approximately 20 acres of water bodies and government poramboke land. This activity has reportedly been carried out day and night using heavy machinery, resulting in the destruction of waterways and demolition of check dams.
Villagers claim that the hillside has been cut vertically to a depth of over 30 feet, raising concerns about potential landslides during the rainy season. The encroachment has made it impossible for the public and livestock to use the area safely.
The petitioners have urged the Village Administrative Officer to conduct an immediate field inspection and bring the matter to the attention of the Tahsildar and Revenue Divisional Officer to halt the encroachments and assist the villagers.
The viral video shows Thekkalur's tribal residents crawling under a fence erected by the private resort, which has allegedly occupied their traditional pathway. This visual evidence has sparked outrage and calls for immediate action to restore public access and protect the rights of the local community.
Local authorities are expected to investigate the matter and take appropriate measures to address the villagers' concerns and ensure the preservation of public lands and water bodies in the area.