Farmers protest land survey for SIPCOT expansion in Tiruvannamalai

Farmers in Veerambakkam village near Cheyyar have strongly opposed a land survey conducted by district officials as part of the proposed SIPCOT Phase-3 expansion project. The survey, aimed at assessing tree cover, farm wells, and buildings for land acquisition, was carried out by a joint team from the Forest Department, PWD, Water Resources Department, and Revenue Department under the orders of District Collector K Tharpagaraj.

Leading the survey was SIPCOT Land Acquisition Tahsildar K Subash Chandran. However, farmers objected to the process, stating they will not give up their land for the project. “We are against any enumeration work by the district administration in our farmlands, which will not be handed over for the expansion project. We will continue to protest," said K Chandran, a local farmer.

The Phase-3 SIPCOT expansion, initiated over a decade ago, plans to acquire 3,174 acres across nine farming villages, including Melma, Narmapallam, Kurumbur, Thethurai, Nedungal, Athi, Vada Alapirandan, Veerapakkam, and Elaneerkundram. Since July 2023, affected residents have staged protests against the land acquisition, leading to 21 arrests in November 2023, with seven protestors detained under the Goondas Act. However, in January 2024, Chief Minister MK Stalin revoked these charges.

Despite opposition, the district administration is proceeding with the survey, stating that compensation of Rs. 18 lakh per acre has been set by the State government, with additional compensation for trees, wells, and buildings. No deadline has been set for the survey due to the ongoing farmers' agitation, officials confirmed.