COIMBATORE: A hunger strike by P Muruganandham, a farmer, to protest alleged illegal mineral extraction and officials’ complicity in the disappearance of a hillock in Kinathukadavu entered the eighth day on Tuesday. Following mounting pressure, officials from the mines and minerals department, revenue department and police conducted a field inspection in the villages concerned and held a direct inquiry with residents. Muruganandham, 45, of Patthumuthur village near Kinathukadavu has been demanding action against alleged mining irregularities, a formal probe into the role of officials, and measures to stop what he calls unchecked quarry operations. He began the fast on June 21 after his repeated petitions and meetings failed to trigger corrective steps. Satishkumar, legal state secretary of the Tamil Nadu Farmers Protection Association, said Muruganandham’s family had practised traditional farming and cultivated crops, including coconut, banana, groundnut and trellis vegetables, on about 11 acres of land. He alleged that while quarries had existed in the region for years, blasting practices over the past decade had intensified, with the use of high-powered explosives and hydraulic equipment affecting nearby habitations and farmland. Residents had reported vibrations in houses, heavy dust and smoke and noise pollution, while chemical deposits on plants are feared to affect pollination and reduce agricultural output, he said. Satishkumar claimed that Muruganandham had submitted around 150 petitions over five years to the district administration and multiple departments. But there was no action. He said Muruganandham met the minister for natural resources T K Prabhu and the department’s principal secretary in Chennai on July 2, after which district officials were asked to conduct a field study, but local action did not follow. Following this, Sathishkumar, along with the association office-bearers, again met the department secretary in Chennai on July 24 and informed about Muruganandham’s fast, after which officials directed the district authorities to take action. During Tuesday’s inspection, farmers confronted officials and raised objections, leading to heated exchanges on quarrying and its impact. Activist Mugilan visited the protest site to extend support. Former BJP state president and We the Leaders founder K Annamalai called Muruganandham and urged him to consider his health. Mines and minerals department assistant director Mehaboob Khan said complaints were being examined through “proper inspection and inquiry” and action would follow based on the report. Muruganandham said he would continue the fast until a report is submitted to the district collector and action is initiated. A doctor examined him and reportedly found no immediate complications.
