Letters to the Editor sent to OUTLOOK - Thervoy struggle deepens by Ranjani Kamala Murthy. Independent Researcher and activist

Dear Editor:

Last week Thervoy Kandigai, Gummundipundi Taluk, Thiruvallur people came together to celebrate  annual Amman festival after many years as they believed that she overthrew the previous regime and will bring justice for the four year struggle the villagers (mainly dalits) are waging against the SIPCOT Industrial Park   (which amongst other companies hosts the Michellin Tyre company) being built on over thousand acres of forest land acquired against the wishes of Gram Sabha (as per evidence shown to me). This will affect lives, livelihood and bodily integrity of people in this village and 25 other villages www.publishaletter.com/readletter.jsp?plid=2811. 

This week on 31/5/2011, the different denominations of Christians from Thervoy Kandigai came together came together under one umbrella to thank Jesus for overthrow of the previous regime and call upon him to bring justice.      

They have now formed a Thervoy Kandigai struggle committee consisting of youth, women and people and have the FULL backing of several local, national and international movements, civil liberties groups, NGOs/INGOs, media, etc. Some of these groups are lobbying in France against the Michelin Tyre company. These groups represent dalits, people in general, environmentalists, women, civil liberties etc 

I am sure with the support of such a large section of groups behind them justice will prevail, and the NGOs recruited by Michellin Tyre Company to state that they are running eye camps, health camps, giving English Education, deepening tanks etc will be exposed. Firstly, none of these are happening in the Thervoy Kandigai village visited. More importantly, is this not the role of government and Panchayats? NGOs  functioning under corporate control should be brought to book   

Ranjani Kamala Murthy 
* I went at the request of Thervoy Kandigai women and people, and am writing this with their consent. I admire the courage of youth, women and other people in waging the struggle. The old women were the most attached to the forest/mekkal poromboku land and sang songs on forests, agriculture, Ambedkar etc to entertain me. Not only forests, agriculture, lives, but also rich dalit culture and heritage is under threat

Read Letters to the Editor sent to OUTLOOK - Thervoy struggle deepens by Ranjani Kamala Murthy. Independent Researcher and activist