THE Communist Party of India (Marxist) staged a massive protest in Krishnagiri district on May 31, on pressing local issues ranging from land rights to environmental concerns. The protest saw significant participation from local residents, farmers, and Party cadres, reflecting growing discontent over unresolved grievances affecting rural and agrarian communities in the region.

The demonstration, led by CPI(M) State Secretary and Central Committee member, P Shanmugam; State Secretariat member D Raveendran and District Secretary C Suresh, focused on three major demands. At the forefront was the long-pending issue of land pattas for nearly 2,000 acres of farmland. Protesters accused the state government of neglecting the plight of landless farmers and delaying land regularisation processes, which is essential for securing the livelihoods of agricultural workers and small farmers.

Another key concern raised was the unchecked discharge of chemical waste into the Thenpannai River. Protesters said that industries in the region were polluting the river, thereby endangering the health of surrounding communities and damaging local ecosystems. The CPI(M) leaders demanded immediate action from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and local authorities to halt the release of effluents and hold violators accountable.

The protest also voiced strong opposition to the proposed eviction of residents from 165 tribal and rural hamlets as part of a plan to designate the area as a reserve forest. Party leaders warned that such a move would result in large-scale displacement and the loss of ancestral lands and rights for indigenous and forest-dependent communities. “This is nothing short of a forced eviction in the name of conservation,” said P Shanmugam, adding that the CPI(M) will continue to resist any policy that jeopardises people’s homes and livelihoods without their consent or rehabilitation.

Speaking to the gathering, the CPI(M) leaders reaffirmed the Party’s commitment to fighting for land rights, environmental justice, and the protection of marginalised communities. They urged the state government to resolve the issues at the earliest.

The protest concluded with a call for continued mobilisation and mass awareness campaigns across the district, as CPI(M) leaders vowed to intensify the agitation if the demands are not met.