Protest held against tungsten mining at Chinnakarpurapatti village

Villagers protest cancellation of tungsten mining tender near Melur, Madurai, fearing environmental destruction in surrounding areas.

Stressing cancellation of tender for tungsten mining in regions near Melur in Madurai district, villagers staged a protest at Chinnakarpurapatti village here on Sunday.  

When the tender for tungsten mining of about 5,000 acres in Madurai was announced by the Union government recently, people opposed the move through various protests and demonstrations.  

Even as the State government passed a resolution in the Assembly, the villagers demanded for withdrawal of tender.  

K. Selvaraj, a villager, said in addition to 5,000 acres, another 38,000 acres were also studied by the Union government for the presence of tungsten.  

“Now, as the tender for a part of the mining is over, it would not take much time for them to announce for other areas. Since areas such as Melavalavu and surrounding areas have been studied, villagers fear the destruction it would cause if it were allowed to operate,” he added.  

Villagers from Kambur, Periyakarpoorampatti, Sekipatti, Arikampatti, Kesampatti, Pattur, Alampatti, Aritapatti, Karungalakudi and Singampunari, among others, took part in the protest.