More than five hundred citizens, including former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president K Annamalai, were arrested by police in Tirupur on Thursday during a major demonstration against the municipal corporation's waste disposal practices.
Mass Arrests Follow Village Protest
The protest was organized in Iduvai village, where residents are vehemently opposing the dumping of tonnes of garbage by the Tirupur Municipal Corporation. The demonstrators, who had gathered to voice their anger, were taken into custody by the local police. All arrested individuals, including the prominent BJP leader Annamalai, were later released.
Speaking at the protest site before his detention, Annamalai launched a sharp attack on the civic body. He accused the Tirupur corporation of misusing funds collected as garbage collection fees and failing to process the waste scientifically. Instead of proper management, he alleged, the waste is being dumped indiscriminately, causing severe distress to villagers.
Political Condemnation and Allegations
Annamalai extended his full support to the residents of Iduvai and condemned the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government. He stated that the administration first denied permission for a peaceful protest and then failed in its fundamental duty to implement an effective waste management system for the city.
The leader also highlighted a recent incident where Tirupur Mangalam police arrested and filed cases against ten individuals for protesting against the same issue. He framed this as an attempt to suppress legitimate public dissent against administrative failure.
Escalation Planned with CM's Visit
In a significant escalation of their agitation, the protesters have announced a black flag demonstration. This protest is scheduled for December 29, when Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin is expected to visit Palladam for a party meeting.
The situation underscores the growing tension in the region over urban waste management, where the burden of untreated garbage is often shifted to peripheral villages, leading to health hazards and environmental degradation. The involvement of a high-profile opposition figure like Annamalai has brought significant political attention to the local issue.
