Activists, villagers protesting against Chennai-Salem highway arrested

The Tamil Nadu police continued to crackdown on protestors against Rs 10,000-crore Chennai-Salem Greenfield Highway project, with the arrest of student-activist Valarmathi along with 20 villagers on Tuesday, following arrests of environmentalist Piyush Manush and actor Mansoor Ali Khan.

Police arrested Valarmathi, who was detained under Goondas Act last year on the charge of attempting to disrupt a meeting of revenue and police officials with villagers of Achankuttapatti. On Monday late evening, police arrested activist Piyush Manush for allegedly instigating people to protest against the highway project, while actor Mansoor Ali Khan was arrested on Sunday for his alleged remarks threatening to "kill eight people and going to jail if the government goes ahead with the project."

National Highways Authority of India has proposed to build a 277-km long eight-lane highway to connect Salem, the native of chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, with Chennai via Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tiruvannamalai and Kancheepuram districts. The project requires the acquisition of 2,791 hectares of land, including 120 hectares of forest land from 159 villages in five districts.

Connectivity

NHAI has proposed to build a 277-km long eight-lane highway to connect Salem, with Chennai via Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tiruvannamalai and Kancheepuram districts