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What is the Annur Industrial Estate project? Why are farmers protesting against it? Why no ‘Godi Media’ of TN is talking about it?

By
The Commune
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The DMK government in Tamil Nadu has proposed to set up an industrial estate at Annur village in Coimbatore district. The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) is set to acquire 3,832 acres of agricultural land in and around the site for this purpose.

However, a circular regarding this announcement was issued to the Coimbatore District Collector by TIDCO without any discussion with the main stakeholders – the farmers.

Why are the farmers protesting against it?

Though the circular claims that these lands are dry lands and are not under cultivation, it has been reported that the area is fertile with abundant groundwater supply. Cash crops like banana, turmeric, mint, jasmine, coconut etc. are being cultivated.

With the implementation of Avinashi-Athikadavu scheme, more than 100 ponds that are located inside the proposed area are expected to get recharged every year by this project. As a result, the farmers are all set to increase cropping cultivation of cash crops like tapiaco, turmeric, etc from 2022 that will help them get more income. This decision by the DMK government to take over these lands (which they claim to be dry lands) has come as a shock to the farmers of the region.

The Costliest Industrial Park

The estimated land price per acre based on the earlier SPMC EMC Cluster Project that was to come up in this region turns out to be ₹20 lakh.

Assuming that the land price has doubled in the last 6 years, the approximate minimum cost per acre will be ₹40 lakhs. For 3832 acres, the Tamil Nadu government must set aside  ₹1500 crores just for compensation alone. This does not even include other expenses like construction, labour, operational costs, etc.

In essence, it will become the most costliest project of the state even before its actual development.

Also, the proposed site is situated just 10 kms away from Tamil Nadu’s second largest dam Bhavani Sagar, which irrigates about 2.0 lakh acres in Erode, Tirupur, Salem districts. The site is also in close proximity to the Sathyamangalam Reserve Forest.

Therefore, setting up of the industrial estate here would collapse the entire ecosystem.

The Double-Standards Of DMK And Their Godi Media

This project was not even announced in the Policy Note published by the Tamil Nadu government during the budget session. The Policy Note for the year 2021-22 mentions only about 1000 acres land for the industrial park near Annur.

What is worth noting is that the DMK had promised to stop this industrial park during the rural local body polls in September 2021.

While the DMK and its allies opposed the Chennai-Salem highway which needed 2791 hectares of land over 277 km length, they are now acquiring 1557 acres of land in just a 10 kms radius displacing close to 5000 families.

What is even more worrying is that a 250 acre plot owned by a premier mill is excluded from TIDCO industrial park acquisition.

The farmers who are to be affected by this move have been shocked, as no political party except the BJP has taken up the matter.

In a video, a farmer from the Annur village opens up about the difficulties the farmers of the area will be facing if the agricultural lands are taken away from them. He says, “Even if we’re given 1 crore rupees, we are not ready to give up our lands, and we are very clear about this.” Check out the full video here:

The Farmers have conducted talks with the district collector and have even approached A Raja, DMK MP from the Nilgiris constituency. But, even he dismissed them without even giving heed to their requests. In a video, we can see him saying, “Go home, think about this once more and let me know again. I will then talk to the Chief Minister.”

When DMK was the opposition party, it opposed the Chennai-Salem 8 lane highway project spanning across 277 kms, with a requirement of 2791 acres of land. However, the same government has proposed turning good agricultural land into an Industrial park. AIADMK’s proposition to do such a project was debated and argued left right and center in all media channels.  This government’s announcement and plan has not even come out for the past 3 months and not one debate has taken place even after news about the farmer’s protest has come out.

BJP Tamil Nadu President K. Annamalai personally met the farmers whose lands are to be taken by the government announcing that the party will stand with the farmers and will not let the project to commence.

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Hindu Munnani stops opening of Christian prayer hall erected illegally in front of Kali temple in Salem

By
The Commune
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An attempt to open a Christian prayer hall, ‘Grace Assembly Hall’ in front of Sakthi Kaliyamman temple in Seelanaickenpatti, Salem, was successfully stopped by the Hindu Munnani recently. Sri Sakthi Kaliyamman temple is a very renowned in Seelanaickenpatti, Salem and the residents of this place have been worshipping the Goddess of the temple for many years.

A Christian missionary group has been making attempts to open up a prayer hall called ‘Grace Assembly Hall’ in front of the temple and the local Hindus have been shocked of this news. The Hindu Munnani took this issue into their own hands and have ensured that the Prayer Hall cannot come up in front of the temple.

The organisation also took it to their official social media handles to share the success. “Attempts to open a Christian prayer hall ‘Grace Assembly Hall’ in front of Sri Sakthi Kaliyamman temple at Seelaniackenpatti, Salem, have been stopped,” tweeted the organisation in Tamil. Check out the tweet here:

(With inputs from Kathir News)

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VCK Chief Thol. Thirumavalan files defamation suit against BJP functionary Tada Periyasami and few others

By
The Commune
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Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief and Chidambaram MP, Thol. Thirumavalavan has filed a defamation case and has sought ₹1 Crore nominal damages. The news was shared by ‘Tada’ Periyasami on his twitter, as he was aware of it only after articles regarding the issue came up in various print media. Check out the tweet here:

The civil suit has been filed against Tada Periyasami, Advocate Rathinam and S Murugesan’s father Samikannu. On Friday, the Madras High Court retrained BJP functionary Tada Periyasami and the other two from making and circulating defamatory statements against the VCK chief.

Justice Abdul Quddhose also passed the interim injunction by the MP that seeks nominal damages of ₹1 Crore from the above mentioned, for spoiling his reputation and showing him in negative light. Senior Counsel E Omprakash also shared that Tada Periyasami who was  originally a part of VCK, joined BJP and started vilifying Thirumavalavan by making defamatory comments against him. Similarly, activist-advocate Rathinam also made defamatory comments against the MP, the court was told.

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Subramanian Swamy peddles half truth on Chinese incursions misquoting Arunachal BJP MP Tapir Gao

By
The Commune
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Rajya Sabha MP Subramaniam Swamy recently tweeted about meeting Lok Sabha BJP MP Tapir Gao in the Parliament. He had said that the latter had spoken about Arunachal Pradesh and that the people of the state wanted him to focus on them as well. His exact tweet is as follows:

Almost immediately following the tweet, the Arunachal Pradesh MP tweeted from his account that he has been misquoted by Swamy. He also revealed the actual conversation that transpired between the two. He clarified that when Swamy asked about Chinese incursion,  Gao mentioned about incursions that took place way back in 1962 war. Check out Gao’s reply here:

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Muslim mob in Pakistan torture, mutilate and burn Sri Lankan factory manager for blasphemy

By
The Commune
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In the Islamic State of Pakistan, a mob of Muslims in Sialkot Punjab on Friday brutally tortured the general manager of Rajko Industries who was a Sri Lankan. 

The mob later set fire to his body the police were sent to the area to bring the situation under control.

The incident took place on Wazirabad Road in Sialkot, where reportedly the workers of private factories attacked the export manager of a factory.

According to the Sialkot District Police Officer Umar Saeed Malik, the man has been identified as Priyantha Kumara, a Sri Lankan national.

https://twitter.com/HamzaAzhrSalam/status/1466688487080579078

Video of this ghastly incident has now gone viral on social media where hundreds of men and even young boys gathered at the factory site, can be seen chanting Islamic slogans. One of the slogans that was raised was “anyone who insults the prophet his head must be cut off” (Gustakh–e–Rasool ki ek hee saza Sar tan se juda Sar tan se juda).

https://twitter.com/pk_persecution/status/1466695282167795717

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar called this murder a “very tragic incident”, and the CM of Punjab has summoned a report from the inspector general of police and ordered a high-level inquiry into the matter.

“Every aspect of the incident should be investigated and a report should be submitted. Action should be taken against those who take the law into their own hands,” the chief minister said.

Punjab Inspector General of Police Rao Sardar Ali Khan said that he has directed the Gujranwala regional police officer to reach the location immediately and “The Sialkot DPO is present on the spot. All aspects of the incident should be investigated,” the IGP said.

The mob attacked the Sri Lankan factory manager based on a false accusation of blasphemy to justify the murder. In Pakistan, one can be killed or lynched because of the blasphemy laws, and often minorities such as Hindus and Christians are an easy target to settle disputes in the name of Islam. 

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Kerala: Two CPI-M comrades arrested for circulating nude video of fellow woman cadre

By
The Commune
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Police in Kerala have arrested 39-year-old Chumathra Elimannil Saji who is a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), for circulating a nude video of a female CPI(M) member online.

He has now been booked under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and 11 others have been named in the case who is absconding.

The people who have been named in the complaint are CPI(M) branch secretary CC Sajimon and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) leader Nasar. As per Kerala Police, these two Communist leaders stripped the woman and took her nude photos and shared them on social media platforms.

According to the victim, this incident took place in May 2021 and the two prime accused allegedly took her in a car and committed the assault.

Sajimon and Nasar have been booked under Section 354 a (Sexual harassment), 354 b (Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), and 294 (obscene acts) of the Indian Penal Code, Section 501 (Printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory) of the Indian Penal Code and 67 (publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form) of the IT Act.

The victim alleged that the two accused gave her sedative-laced drinks and sexually assaulted her. Later they demanded Rs. 2 lakh, and if she failed to pay, they threatened to circulate the video on social media.

Sajimon was charged with sexual abuse on November 28. India TV News quoted one M. Krishnanunni, social activist and writer from Kozhikode, saying, “The CPM has been advocating woman’s rights and gender equality, and these are all farce. They are putting such abusers in key posts, and the party branch secretary is a key post for a ruling political party as he will have influence in a local police station and will also influence key decisions to be taken by the Police. The party knew that he was an abuser and had relegated him to a local committee member. Why did they give him a post as branch secretary even after this? This means he is a person who is close to party leadership.”

There are also allegations against the Police for not taking swift action as the accused belong to the ruling CPI(M) and were allegedly hiding in CPI(M) regional committee office. The Police only sprung into action after receiving severe criticism over the delay.

As per another incident, Sajimon was accused in another sexual abuse case wherein he had impregnated a married woman and later tried to discredit the DNA test report by using his political influence.

If justice has been delayed due to political pressure, to add insult to injury, the victim has been suspended by CPI(M) for filing a complaint against the party leader.

According to a report in Mathrubhumi, the woman worker has been suspended pending investigation on the basis of a complaint filed by the Mahila Association which is ironic as the party has also claimed that they have not received any complaint regarding sexual harassment.

However, If the complaint is proved to be genuine, CPM area secretary Francis V Antony said action will be taken against the guilty after consulting senior leaders.

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‘Gender Neutral Toilets’: Chicago Public School students to now use toilets based on their ‘gender identities’

By
The Commune
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As per the mandate by the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) in the USA, all public schools under it its purview must adopt new signage for their student washrooms and toilets, making them ‘gender neutral’.

This has been hailed as a big step towards gender equity and CPS has asked the schools to use signage that tells students they can use the toilets that reflect their gender identities and going forward they have a long-term plan to make the changes more permanent

CPS officer Camie Pratt said in a video that is available on twitter, “All CPS students and staff will have fair and equitable access to bathroom facilities that align with their gender identity.” She added that the signage will “make it clear that all restrooms are open for use by anyone who feels comfortable and will increase gender equality for all.”

The new signages indicate the fixtures available inside the restroom and announce that it is open to users of any gender identity and expression. Other signages include “This restroom has stalls/urinals and all who feel comfortable can use them” and “This is a gender-neutral restroom with multiple stalls, it is open to users of any gender identity and expression”.

Other signages include “This restroom has stalls/urinals and all who feel comfortable can use them” and “This is a gender-neutral restroom with multiple stalls, it is open to users of any gender identity and expression”.

Other signages include “This restroom has stalls/urinals and all who feel comfortable can use them” and “This is a gender-neutral restroom with multiple stalls, it is open to users of any gender identity and expression”.

As per an OpIndia report, NCERT teachers training manual had proposed gender-neutral toilets and puberty blockers for children in Indian schools to promote ‘gender inclusiveness’. A

However, there was a massive outrage and the NCERT document was removed from their website. Child rights body NCPCR had called the NCERT document ‘a conspiracy to traumatise school students’.

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DMK Minister edits Lord Ganesha pic out of photo with CM; gets exposed on social media

By
The Commune
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A picture of DMK MLA and Minister of School Education, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi honouring the Chief Minister M.K. Stalin with a shawl is being shared across social media platforms. The reason however, is not only to show the incident.

Shared across social media, the photo has two versions. In the one shared by him, there is nothing on the wall behind them. But, in another version, there is a photo of Lord Ganesha behind where the Minister and the Chief Minister are standing. The photo was found to be edited, after the reflection of the Ganesha alone was found on the photo shared.

Many have questioned why the double standard and why a faith can’t be accepted as faith. Check out the image here:

May be an image of 6 people and people standing

This deliberate editing out of Ganesha picture is now being called out on social media. Here are some reaction:

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Villagers in DMK Min Senthil Balaji’s district suffer without proper burial facilities

By
The Commune
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In the Melaveliyoor village, Karur district, there is no proper roadways or graveyard/cemetery facilities because of which the residents of this village are forced to take the bodies of their relatives through a path where water levels are knee-deep.

Melaveliyoor is a village in the Kalladai panchayat of Tokamalai in the Karur district. Towards the East of the village, there are more than 60 housing structures that are without appropriate facilities. It is being said that although the villagers have been requesting the government for proper burial facilities, the government has taken no action till date.

Bodies are being cremated by the residents near the cemetery lake In this situation, the recent rains have flooded the fields and many lands near the cemetery in the Panchayat. As the water did not recede, the public were forced to carry the bodies of their relatives along water clogged pathways.

Senthil Kumar, a resident of the village who works as a lawyer said, “Villagers cremate bodies near the Kalladai lake . The overflow from this lake enters the Aathuvari canal when there are heavy rains. It has been raining heavily in this region for many years. But, there is no flyover to carry bodies over.”

“A private landowner is refusing to allow the bodies of the dead to be  taken for cremation through his farmland. Since people from two different communities live in this village, both communities don’t have proper facilities to bury their dead. The government should take necessary steps to build a common crematorium for the 2 communities here and provide all the basic amenities required for the people,” he added.

(With inputs from Kathir News)

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“Delivering on legitimate aspirations of Tamil community is in the best interests of Sri Lanka”, MEA responds to Vaiko’s question

By
The Commune
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The Parliament’s Winter session is currently happening and updates keep coming in from time to time. Earlier, Rajya Sabha MP Vaiyapuri Gopalsamy, commonly known Vaiko, had some questions regarding Human Right’s Violation against Tamils in Sri Lanka. He had addressed a set of questions to the Ministry of External Affairs, which has been answered yesterday.

He had asked a total of 5 questions such as, “Whether government has taken due notice of gross human rights violation against Tamils in Sri Lanka,” “Whether government is considering changing its foreign policy towards Sri Lanka in view of the issue of Human rights abuse and their facing trial in the Human Rights Council,” etc.

Answering all questions at one go, the Ministry of External Affairs mentioned all that they and the Central Government on the whole have been doing to ensure the well being of the Tamils in Sri Lanka. “The Government of India has consistently called upon Sri Lanka during bilateral discussions at all levels to fulfill its commitments on addressing the issues related to protecting the interests on Tamils in Sri Lanka,” the MEA had answered to Vaiko’s questions.

The answer given was concluded with, “India believes that delivering on the legitimate aspirations of the Tamil community is in the best interests of Sri Lanka.” Read the full statement here:

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TheCommune
The Commune is a news and views portal focusing on social and political issues of the southern part of India with a focus on Tamil Nadu.
Contact us: thecommune.news@gmail.com
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