Friday, June 8, 2007

600 people detained for protesting airport expansion

Kanchipuram, June 5: Around 600 people were arrested at the Collectorate here for protesting against the proposed land acquisition for Chennai airport expansion.

Residents of Gerugumbakkam village on Monday reached the Collectorate in 20 vans, blocked the approach road and sought an assurance that their lands would not be acquired, police said. Later some representatives of the villagers met District Collector Pradeep Yadav, who assured them that the land survey process has not yet begun for the project.

He gave an assurance that they would not be affected by the proposed project and also promised to visit the area. However, majority of the protesters were not satisfied and went on with their agitation. Police arrested them and forcibly removed them from the spot. Due to lack of space in police stations, all of them were kept in a marriage hall till late in the evening before being released.

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