Kadiramangalam Protest

Why in news?

Farmers of Kadiramangalam in Thanjavur district protesting against the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation’s exploration activities in the village.

What is this ONGC project?

• The ONGC sunk three oil wells in the village, and has been pumping out hydrocarbon resources since 2004.
• The pumped-out crude oil and natural gas are transported to Kuttalam, 5 km away, through underground pipelines laid at a depth of six feet.
• The ONGC was about to deepen the wells by over 400 feet.
• The apprehension was that the ONGC was going to explore further for coal-bed methane and shale gas.

What are the reasons for the protest?

• Recently potable water in the village turned brownish yellow with a high content of visible particulate matter polluting it.
• There are doubts among villagers that the oil exploration will depleted the groundwater table and pollute the available quantum too.
• ONGC representatives who involve in the oil exploration are not responsive to the people’s questions
• A pipeline burst near one of the oil wells resulting in a spill in the fields of farmer created distress among the people

What is the status of the protest?

• The ONGC claimed that there was no plan for shale gas and coal-bed methane exploration, but it was about to undertake routine maintenance activities at the oil well.
• But the protestors are not convinced with the statements of ONGC.
• Recently there was sudden mobilisation of huge posse of police in the village.
• Then the villagers organised protests and a shutdown to mark the police action.
• Together with the agitation against the hydrocarbon project at Neduvasal in Pudukkottai, which has been going on for more than 100 days.
• The struggle in Kadiramangalam continues, with the end unpredictable.

Source: The Hindu