Dharna before NLC Mines on land acquisition compensation

Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, Aug 20 (UNI) Over 3,000 people belonging to 69 villages of the district today staged a dharna before the Neyveli Lignite Corporation's (NLC) Lignite Mine II at Neyveli today demanding higher compensation for the lands acquired by the NLC.

Claiming the NLC made a profit of Rs 24 crore from mining operations on every acre of land, the people demanded a share in profit or a compensation of Rs 20 lakh per acre of land acquired by it.

Led by Panrutti MLA T Velmurugan of the PMK, they said unlike other states which witnessed violence during land acquisition, they handed over the land in the larger national interests.

They wanted the Central and Tamil Nadu Governments to ensure the land was acquired after providing good compensation to the owners.

Later, addressing the gathering, Mr Velmurugan said though over 10,000 cases filed by the affected residents were pending in various courts in connection with land acquisition, the management did not give any response.

He said if this attitude continued, about two lakh people would be mobilised to hold a dharna before the officials' houses.

Mr Velmurugan also charged the Tamil Nadu Government with harassing the protestors indirectly by using police force.

UNI