Neduvasal protests called off after Union minister holds talks

After the BJP's Radhakrishnan assured protesters that a meeting would be arranged with Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan where concerns of the villagers would be addressed

The 22-day long protest in Neduvasal against the Union government's hydrocarbon exploration project was called off on Thursday. Talks held between Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan and the protesting villagers led to the temporary withdrawal of the stir. The Bharatiya Janata Party's Radhakrishnan assured protesters that a meeting would be arranged with Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan where concerns of the villagers would be addressed.

[#SaveNeduvasal: No permission for hydrocarbon project says TN CM]

The protesters at neighbouring Nallandarkollai and Vadakadu villages, however, refused to call off the agitation. Neduvasal protesters told the minister that they will resume protests if the project was not scrapped in a week's time. "Arrangements are being made for a delegation to meet Pradhan in Delhi on March 15 or 16. Agricultural activities have been affected due to the ongoing protests in around 60 villages. Students who are part of the protests should not face hindrance to their examinations and so we have decided to call off the protest for now," said Senthilnathan, a member of the committee protesting against Neduvasal hydrocarbon project.

[Neduvasal says no to Centre's hydrocarbon exploration project]

Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan and Tamil Nadu Health Minister Vijay Bhaskar along with District Collector S Ganesh held talks with protesters at Neduvasal on Thursday to convince them to give up protests and talk over the concerns. "The Union government will not implement any project that is against the interests of the people. The project was conceived much before the BJP came into power but I have not come here in my capacity as a minister or politician. I am here to understand your plight and help resolve your problems," said Pon Radhakrishnan.

OneIndia News