G.K. Vasan, president of the Tamil Manila Congress, has strongly condemned the police attack on students, who demanded closure of Tasmac liquor shops in Chennai.
Several students, who fought for a noble cause, were injured in the attack. The police personnel should not use their powers to suppress the voice of students, he told reporters after visiting Srivaikuntam dam in Tuticorin district on Monday evening.
Mr. Vasan, along with his party men, took stock of desilting works under way in the dam as per the directive of the National Green Tribunal. He appealed to State government to constitute a committee comprising representatives of all political parties to monitor the desilting work to prevent any irregularities.
Once desilting was completed, surplus water overflowing from the dam into sea during monsoon could be saved in the dam.
30,000 to benefit
Thirty thousand farmers, who largely relied on the water in the dam, would benefit.
Besides, 53 system irrigation tanks should also be desilted, he said.
Mr. Vasan demanded that the government authorities should ensure supply of sand removed from the dam to farmers free of cost.
Tasmac shops
He also appealed to the State government to close all Tasmac liquor shops. The State-owned liquor shops functioning near places of worship, educational institutions, along highways, bus stands and railway stations should be closed by the month-end and liquor shops located in other areas should be closed in subsequent phases.
The TMC would stage protests across Tamil Nadu pressing for this demand, he said, adding his party supported the bandh announced on Tuesday