Condemning the indiscriminate felling of trees on Yercaud Main Road, residents and members of Salem Citizens Forum, led by its convener Piyush Sethia, staged a demonstration on the road here on Wednesday.
The Highways Department has proposed to extend the width of the road from Hasthampatti Roundtana to Gorimedu and had obtained permission from the district administration for felling 22 trees that were along the road. While the workers were cutting the trees, residents and members of the forum protested against felling the trees. But they were allegedly manhandled by the contractor and the workers.
Mr. Piyush and the residents tried to stage a protest, but were beaten by the workers. Media persons who were covering the incident were also allegedly attacked by the workers. RDO Sheikh Mohideen and revenue officials visited the spot and held inquiries and halted the cutting of trees.
S. Mohanraj, reporter of Puthiya Thalaimurai, in his complaint to the Hasthampatti police said that while he was covering the incident, workers abused him and attacked him.
