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NT Bureau
Chennai, Sept 27:
 

HITTING THE STREETS AFTER BEING HIT: Residents of a locality near Ambattur showing what collective protest can lead to. Their protest against the illegal tapping of water resources in the area immediately brought the politicians to the area and offer some remedial action. Photo: M Srinivasan

        Tension prevailed at Ambattur today following a demonstration staged by more than 1,000 members of about 30 public welfare organisations to immediately check the indiscriminate depletion of water resources. They also demanded that the Ayappakam High Road, which was battered and bruised by water tankers, be repaired immediately.

        The locals allege that water tankers, run by private hands with political patronage, have been sucking out water from the local tank bed and ponds, including the Ambattur lake. This has lead to water scarcity in the surrounding areas. Moreover, non-stop movement of tanker lorries on the Ayappakam High Road had put the residents to hardship besides battering the road, the locals say.

        Despite several representations made by resident associations and public welfare organisations, authorities reportedly did not pay heed to them.

        Irked by this, about 30 public welfare organisations joined together and formed Bharathi General Federation to find a solution to the chaos.

        Following this, more than 1000 persons hit the road this morning and started a protest march towards Ambattur Taluk Office. Immediately, Assistant Commissioner Joshi Nirmalkumar and other policemen rushed to the spot and stopped them from continuing with the protest march.

        This made the association members to sit on an impromptu demonstration on the road. As the agitation continued, CPI State secretary T Pandian and CPI(M) senior leader W R Varadarajan reached the spot and extended their support to the protestors.

        On receiving information of the protest, Villivakkam MLA Ranganathan, Amabattur Municipal Chairman Sekar, Tahsildar Padmaja and other officials rushed to the spot and pacified the agitators. They assured that necessary action would be taken to stop tankers from depleting water from Ambattur lake. They also promised the public that the Ayapakkam Road would be repaired soon.

        Following the assurance, agitators dispersed from the place. The two-hour long protest on the arterial road hit the traffic.