Tamil Nadu: Ex-CM O Panneerselvam arm-twisted into selling giant well as village runs dry of water
Villagers of Lakshmipuram, Theni protested against O Panneerselvam' s family, claiming that a giant well dug by OPS in his farm was the reason for the extreme water shortage.
In Short
- Villagers of Lakshmipuram are protesting against OPS.
- Villagers claim that a well dug by OPS was the reason for water shortage.
- OPS has agreed to allow villagers to use water from the well for 90 days.
Former chief minister of Tamil Nadu O Panneerselvam who became a rebellious hope after his iconic meditation at Jayalalitha memorial lost his star stature at his home town after villagers protested against his giant well for sucking the water from across the area.
For nearly 10 days, villagers of Lakshmipuram, Theni protested against O Panneerselvam' s family, sometime even blocking the roads to the village claiming that a giant well dug by OPS in his farm was the reason for the extreme water shortage.
The disputed well stands on a 18 per cent land belonging to OPS' wife Vijayalakshmi and the villagers claim that they were not allowed to take water from the well. As the matter began to go out of control, peace committees were formed and OPS had agreed to gift the well to villagers provided they agree to buy his 40 acre coconut farm and surprisingly, they agreed to do so.
OPS stated that the coconut farm can't be irrigated without the well from the water and that is why he placed that condition.
But the crucial fact remains, that the a political force is allegedly to be the mastermind behind the negotiations, arm twisting OPS to sell his well profiting coconut farm.
TTV Dhinakaran's alleged supporter and Andipatti MLA Thangathamiz Selvan and Periyakulam MLA Kathirkamu hold a major stake in Theni district while OPS as MLA of Bodinayakanur got dwarfed by the negotiation committee.
OPS' family has agreed to allow villagers to use water from the well for 90 days within which they can come up with a sale deal for the land.
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