Farmers in Kanchipuram have made a heartfelt plea, expressing their distress over government officials targeting fertile agricultural land in the region for the construction of a new sports field. This project falls under the Ministry of Youth Welfare and Sports Development, headed by Deputy Chief Minister and DMK scion Udhayanidhi Stalin. The farmers lament that although there are vacant plots nearby and volunteers willing to offer their land for the project, officials from Karuveppampoondi insist on taking over valuable farmland.
One such landowner, Subbaiah, who has cultivated coconut, mango, and sapota groves on the land for three generations, has been particularly affected. Despite obtaining a stay order from the court, Subbaiah continue to face harassment from the officials, leaving him frustrated and helpless.
Speaking to the media, farmer Subbaiah said, “Sir, we’ve been cultivating these coconut trees for almost 42 years, and we’ve struggled immensely. The people of this town have helped us, with 50 to 100 people working daily, ensuring food for everyone and paying wages. Through all this hard work, it is only now that we’re beginning to see the benefits, and everyone is living peacefully. This is our livelihood. Without it, we have no other way to survive. For three generations, this has been the way of life for our family for 42 years, passed down from my father’s time. But in the last two years, suddenly they’re asking for land to build sports fields. There is available land for sports field nearby, but they insist on destroying our coconut, mango, and sapota trees. This is completely unnecessary. We don’t understand why they are doing this or why there is such animosity towards us. The authorities arrive without any prior notice. They come when we’re not around, knowing when we’re at the hospital due to illness. The revenue officials show up with a JCB and 10 to 50 members, assisted by 10 to 20 police officers, trying to destroy the path. This is 42 years of hard work, not just from my generation but from generations before me. My family has been working on this land, from my father’s time to my children’s. Even my grandchildren now work here. We’re dependent on this land for three generations; there are no other options for us.”
Subbaiah stated that the officials claimed this decision was based on the orders of the Chief Minister and advice from the Deputy Chief Minister. However, he expressed his belief that neither the Chief Minister nor the Deputy Chief Minister would approve such actions that would devastate the livelihoods of farmers. Despite this, the authorities remain determined to seize the land.
Although a stay order has been issued, Subbaiah mentioned that the authorities continue to ignore it. They would temporarily halt their actions for a few months, but whenever the property owner is away, such as during vacations, they resume their efforts. He also revealed that many villagers with 8 to 10 acres of land have volunteered to offer their land for the project and have even petitioned the Collector, but the officials remain resolute in taking his land, which is home to 4,000 coconut trees, 200 mango trees, and several sapota trees. This ongoing harassment has been persisting for the past 2 to 3 years.
He lamented, “Even if there is no land available here, it’s fine. There is land nearby, within 300 meters, with 8 to 10 acres available.”
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