Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin revoked an order detaining six farmers under the Goondas Act for staging a protest against Melma SIPCOT project in Tiruvannamalai district on Friday. However, the CM did not revoke the detention of one person under the Act since he had several cases pending against him. The revoking of the order comes after Tamil Nadu government received flak from several quarters including the Opposition over the arrest of the farmers under the Goondas Act.
According to ANI, Tamil Nadu DIPR said, "Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin cancelled the orders detaining six persons under the Goondas Act in connection with the protest against the Cheyyar SIPCOT expansion project."
Recently, 20 persons from Krishnagiri were arrested and remanded into judicial custody while staging a protest. Among the 20, Arul and six other farmers including K Pachaiyappan, M Devan, N Cholan, M Tirumal, C Masilamani, and B Bakyaraj were detained under the Goondas Act.
On Friday, the family members of the farmers met Minister for Public Works EV VElu and sought the release of the arrested farmers. They said that they wouldn't oppose government projects without reason but admitted to the mistake of getting influenced by outsiders.
"The Chief Minister, after considering the request of the families, ordered the revocation of the Goondas Act issued by Tiruvannamalai collector based on the recommendation of the Superintendent of police against Pachaiyappan, Devan, Cholan, Tirumal, Masilamani, and Bakyaraj," the release said, as per PTI.
According to the government, the Phase 3 SIPCOT industrial estate expansion in Melma and 8 adjacent villages was undertaken to include 3,174 acres in order to promote the region's economic development.