Copyright thehindu
Residents of two villages from Srivaikundam Taluk on Monday submitted a petition to Collector K. Elambahavath appealing to him to allot lands for burial and cremation ground. The villagers from Nalangudi under Keezhpidaagai Varadharajapuram panchayat and Sundarapandiapuram under Thiruppuliyangudi panchayat, both under Srivaikundam block, said they were mostly palmyra tree climbers and had been living in the two villages for the past seven generations. Even though Nalangudi and Sundarapandiapuram housed 200 families, they had not been allotted a burial and cremation ground despite repeated petitions submitted to officials. “Hence, we have to either bury or cremate the bodies on a 10-foot-wide space between Vadakaal Channel and the nearby road. Since the bodies are being buried in the same small space, it is hurting the families emotionally besides causing health hazards. Hence, the District Collector should inspect the spot and allot sufficient land for the cremation and burial ground,” the petitioners said. A group of villagers from Karuppur Venkatachalapuram in Kovilpatti taluk submitted a petition against the M-Sand manufacturing unit in their village. They said the dust billowing from this factory was destroying the villagers’ peaceful living besides killing the fodder of their cattle. Hence, the district administration should take due action against the M-Sand manufacturing unit, they said. Former president of Umarikkaadu village panchayat S. Rajesh Kumar submitted a petition seeking police protection for him as sustained attempts were being allegedly made to kill him.
