ERODE: Residents of Kongampalayam Arunthathiyar Colony near Chithodu picketed Erode Collectorate here on Monday, demanding removal of encroachment on a graveyard. They also petitioned District Revenue Officer Kumaravelpandiyan seeking immediate action in this regard.Heading the protest, Puratchi Baratham District Secretary Srirangan and V Rasu said over 250 families were using the graveyard located in the Gangapuram panchayat for the past 100 years. The State provided a shelter there nearly a decade ago to cremate bodies.“The place comes under the village panchayat. But, a policeman and his brother brought bulldozers and levelled the entire land some 10 days ago. They also fenced the plot to claim that the 68 cents of land belonged to them. They are now planning to use it for agricultural purposes,” the protestors said. “When we questioned the encroachers, they claimed they got pattas for the land and even threatened us with dire consequences if we continued to protest,” the residents said.Srirangan and Vasu said the residents complained to the village panchayat president and village administrative officer, but no action was taken so far. “If the graveyard is not restored, the residents will have to use the Pallipalayam one, which is located far away from Gangapuram. The poor will not be able to bear such huge expenses,” the added.
Comments
0 comment