: Protests against the proposed hydrocarbon extraction and exploration project continued today at nearby Neduvasal, demanding that the Centre shelve it.
Villagers and others from nearby hamlets staged a protest at Neduvasal and hoisted black flags there.
Students from several parts of Tamil Nadu also participated in the protest.
CPI(M) State Secretary G Ramakrishnan said due to hydrocarbon extraction project, "a situation is arising wherein the livelihood of the people will be affected not only in Neduvasal village but in the entire Pudukottai district."
Ramakrishnan, who is also the leader of the three party bloc People's Welfare Front told reporters at Neduvasal that the whole of Pudukottai district faced the prospect of "desertification."
Flanked by other PWF constituent leaders CPI State Secretary R Mutarasan, and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol Thirumavalavan, he demanded that the Centre immediately rescind project.
"If the Centre does not give up the project, a state-wide campaign will be taken up against the Union government by the People's Welfare Front," he said.
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A Madurai report said heads of 70 villages decided to file a petition before the National Green Tribunal seeking to stop execution of the exploration for the Project.
At a meeting, they decided to form a committee to take up the issue with the NGT and also resolved to request the Tamil Nadu government to pass aresolution against the project in the Assembly.
