Vijay to Engage with Villagers Opposing Parandur Airport Tomorrow
Click to start listening
Synopsis
On January 19 in Chennai, Tamil superstar Vijay will meet villagers protesting against the Parandur Greenfield Airport project. The event aims to address local concerns regarding environmental impacts and agricultural land loss. This meeting follows a lengthy protest lasting over 900 days, highlighting the community's commitment to opposing the airport's development.
Key Takeaways
- Vijay to meet villagers protesting Parandur Airport.
- Event rescheduled due to police restrictions and rain.
- Protest concerns focus on environmental and agricultural impacts.
- Protests have been ongoing for over 900 days.
- Police impose strict measures on the gathering.
Chennai, Jan 19 (NationPress) Tamil superstar and founder-president of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), Vijay, is set to meet the individuals protesting against the proposed Parandur Greenfield Airport in Chennai on Monday.
The meeting is arranged for 1 p.m. at a wedding hall in Parandur. As per sources from the TVK, Vijay had originally intended for the gathering to occur in an open area rather than an enclosed venue.
Initially, the party planned to convene at Ambedkar Thidal in Ekanapuram, but restrictions imposed by the Kancheepuram police and overnight rain reportedly necessitated the change of location.
Senior leaders from TVK have directed officials and volunteers from other regions to refrain from attending the gathering in Parandur. Reports indicate that Vijay has implemented strict measures to manage the crowd at the event.
Sources from the party disclosed that the police have enforced stringent conditions on Vijay’s visit, including restrictions on the number of attendees and the event's duration.
The TVK leader is anticipated to engage with residents who have been protesting against the proposed airport initiative.
The Parandur Greenfield Airport project has been a controversial topic since its announcement in August 2022. Local residents and farmers have voiced concerns regarding the potential environmental and social repercussions. Protests have persisted for over 900 days, with residents pledging to oppose the project until it is canceled.
The initiative entails the acquisition of 5,746 acres of land across 20 villages, with plans to complete the airport by 2028. Residents, especially from Ekanapuram, one of the most impacted villages, argue that the project threatens fertile agricultural land and eco-sensitive water bodies, endangering their livelihoods and local ecosystems.
Protests have featured nighttime demonstrations, boycotts of grama sabha meetings, and resolutions demanding the project's cancellation. Villagers recently commemorated the 900th day of their agitation on January 10.
TVK officials have initiated preparations for the meeting, collaborating with leaders of the protest committee and visiting the site.
The police have often restricted access to protesting villages, setting up barricades and conducting vehicle inspections to deter outsiders from joining the protests. Numerous protest marches organized by groups such as BJP, PMK, Puthiya Thamizhagam, and Arappor Iyakkam have had their permissions denied or revoked.
Vijay’s visit is expected to enhance TVK’s visibility and garner significant media coverage for the villagers’ cause. His presence might reinforce the protesters’ determination and attract additional public and political backing against the airport project.
