Four lakes in Salem district have become the centre of allegations over nighttime soil removal, with a farmers’ organisation petitioning the district administration to stop the activity and investigate the people named in the complaint. The accused Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) office-bearer, however, has denied any involvement and described the complaint as politically motivated.
The petition was submitted at the Salem Collectorate by representatives of the Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Association, led by its Salem district secretary Velan, according to a report by Dinamalar. It alleged that soil was being removed from the lakes at Thadapuram, Maniyakkarampalayam, Puthupalayam and Edappadi in the Edappadi and Konganapuram blocks.
The complaint named Ajithkumar, the TVK Salem West district deputy secretary, and a party member identified as Chinnappaiyan. It alleged that more than 200 loads of soil had been taken away at night despite instructions against removing soil using tipper trucks. The petition also alleged that the activity was taking place with the support of officials.
Speaking after submitting the petition, Velan alleged that soil was being removed between 11 pm and 4 am. He claimed that a load was being sold for Rs 5,000 and that soil was being removed to a depth of more than two metres for private use. He further alleged that soil from the lakes was being used to level private patta land and that the activity involved financial irregularities worth several lakhs of rupees.
The allegations, if established, would involve the use of public water bodies and raise questions about monitoring of lake boundaries, permission for excavation and the movement of heavy vehicles during late-night hours. The petition called on the district administration to take action against those involved, stop further soil removal and protect the lakes. The report did not provide details of any inspection, seizure, police case or administrative order following the complaint.
Ajithkumar denied the allegations when contacted by Dinamalar. He said he had no connection with the soil-removal activity or with the private patta land mentioned in the complaint. He described the allegations as false and claimed that political rivals were attempting to blame TVK because it was a new party. He also questioned the political affiliation of those who submitted the complaint.
The competing claims have not been independently resolved in the supplied report. The next official step would be confirmation from the district administration, revenue authorities or police on whether an inspection has been conducted and whether any action has been initiated regarding the four lakes.
