Tension prevailed near Palladam in Tiruppur district on Tuesday, 16 September 2025, after residents protesting against the dumping of municipal waste detained garbage trucks and clashed with police, resulting in injuries to both protesters and police personnel and the detention of over 200 people.
The incident occurred at Chinnakalipalayam near Iduvai village, where the Tiruppur City Municipal Corporation has been dumping municipal waste. Local residents, including farmers and cattle rearers, have been opposing the proposed garbage dumping site for several months, arguing that garbage should not be dumped within their panchayat limits as it would affect agriculture, livestock, groundwater and public health. The issue is also stated to be pending before a court.
According to residents, despite repeated protests and sit-ins over the past several weeks, civic authorities proceeded with the establishment of the dumping yard without addressing public concerns. On Tuesday, when two municipal garbage trucks arrived at the site to unload waste, residents blocked the vehicles and launched a protest.
Police were deployed in large numbers as the situation escalated. Attempts were made to hold talks with the protesters; however, when the residents continued with road blockades, personnel from the Rapid Action Force and Tiruppur city police were brought in. A heated argument broke out between the protesters and the police, following which the police forcibly removed the protesters and detained them.
During the confrontation, some protesters released cattle into the crowd, triggering panic among police personnel and creating a chaotic, riot-like situation at the site.
Eyewitnesses said that elderly persons and women were also detained during the operation. Reportedly, more than 200 people were taken into custody and transported in police vehicles, leading to heightened tension and commotion in the area.
In the clashes, three villagers, identified as Arun Kumar, Vidhya and another resident sustained injuries. On the police side, Assistant Commissioner John, Inspector Ganeshan, Sub-Inspector Muthupandi and Armed Reserve constable Thenmozhi were injured. All the injured were admitted to hospital for treatment.
Condemning the police action, BJP leader Annamalai issued a statement stating that the DMK government was proceeding with the garbage dumping project in Iduvai village despite sustained public opposition. The statement said the project would adversely impact farmers and livestock rearers and accused the district administration of acting against public sentiment.
திருப்பூர் மாவட்டம் இடுவாய் கிராமத்தில், பொதுமக்கள் எதிர்ப்பை மீறி, குப்பைக்கிடங்கு அமைத்துக் கொண்டிருக்கிறது திமுக அரசு. இந்தப் பகுதி விவசாயிகளும், கால்நடை வளர்ப்பவர்களும், இதனால் பெரிதும் பாதிக்கப்படுவார்கள்.
கடந்த சில மாதங்களாகவே, இந்தப் பகுதியில் குப்பைக்கிடங்கு அமைப்பதை… pic.twitter.com/pefNeRCI7I
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) December 16, 2025
The situation in the area later stabilised, though police deployment continued to prevent further protests.
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
