Latest news with #Mugilan
The Hindu
3 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Farmers, activists oppose move to set up sand quarry at Mangammalpuram
Farmers, environmental activists and local residents on Wednesday strongly opposed the move of the Water Resources Department (WRD) to set up a sand quarry at Mangammalpuram on the water course of the Kollidam river. As per the proposal, the sand quarry will have an area measuring 200 hectares on the river course near Anbil in Lalgudi Taluk in Tiruchi district. It is proposed to excavate 5,00,000 m3 of sand by opencast mechanised mining method without drilling and blasting. Sand will be transported by 10/20 tonnes. The sand will be loaded directly to the trucks/ lorries to nearby approved Government Sand Depot for transportation to the needy customers. The trucks will be loaded by excavators in direct supervision of the Assistant/ Junior Engineers of the Water Resources Department. The life of the mining period will be two years. However, farmers and environmental activists expressed their strong reservations to the quarry at the public hearing conducted by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) at Anbil near here. R.S. Mugilan, coordinator, Cauvery Protection Movement, who participated in the hearing, said there should not be any drinking water project within 500 meters radius of any mining activity. There were six drinking water projects in close vicinity of the proposed quarry. It would adversely impact the drinking water projects and the environment. Mining plan for the quarry was prepared in 2022. It was wrong to seek the opinions and views for the three-year-old mining plan as it would not reflect the current picture of the quarrying site and method. He said that 45 annexes, including no objection certificates from revenue authorities and others, should have been made available on the website of TNPCB. But, it had mainly annexed only the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA). It had deprived the people, mainly farmers and local residents, information about mandatory details. Mr. Mugilan said that several villages, which were surrounded by the proposed site, would be affected on various fronts if the quarry was allowed. Hence, it should not be established. M.P. Chinnadurai, a farmer leader, said there was already a GO for importing sand from river sand-rich countries. Instead of causing negative environmental impact by opening sand quarries, the State government should take steps to import sand to meet the market demand. V. Jeevakumar, a farmer of Rayamundanpatti in Thanjavur district, said the proposed quarry site was not far away from Kallanai, one of the oldest irrigation structures. There was possibility of extensive sand mining activity beyond the permitted level. If it happened it might pose danger to the Kallanai.
The Hindu
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Environmentalists seek protection of Palani hills from possible mining activities to extract Molybdenite
Activists and environmentalists demanding to protect the Palani hills from any projects to excavate Molybdenite submitted a petition with the District Collector S. Saravanan. The petition submitted by a group of activists claimed that the Geological Survey of India, through their survey conducted over a period of 10 years, has learned that the Palani halls and nearby areas has rich presence of Molybdenite minerals. However, the report already published about the presence of the minerals in Geological survey of India and Indian Minerals 2019 – Tamil Nadu Review was hidden from the public, said Mugilan, an environmental activist. As the mineral possessed rich industrial value and as its presence has been found in an area sprawling about 1 lakh acre in the district, the Union government could any time issue an order for mining works, he added. While the hill was one of the six important Murugan temples in the State, it also has rich biodiversity encompassing several varieties of flora and fauna, he noted. Fearing about the destruction's direct impact on the people dependent on it, Mr. Mugilan compared it with the low-key tungsten survey which was conducted in the hills near Melur in Madurai. 'Only after the Union government released the order did people and even the politicians learn about the move of the government to mine the hills for tungsten,' he added. A similar move could be expected here too, so, he appealed to the Tamil Nadu government to pass a resolution in the upcoming Assembly session as a precautionary measure to deny permission for accessing the hills for mining.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Time of India
11 puppies inducted to beef up detection
Chennai: The sniffer dog unit of the city police has inducted 11 high-breed puppies. Of them, three Belgian Malinois and one German Shepherd have been specially assigned to narcotics detection unit to beef up the detection rate. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The puppies, named Nithra, Mugilan, Vetri, Vikram, Silamban, Kurali, Kaari, Gugan, Venbha, Dheeran, and Alexander, will undergo intensive training. Since 2024, Chennai Police Sniffer Dog Squad carried out security operations for 3,657 VIP movements, investigated 61 criminal cases, responded to 137 bomb threat incidents, and completed a total of 3,855 anti-sabotage checks. The unit continues to play a vital role in maintaining public safety and assisting in complex investigations. At a ceremony held at Rajaratnam Stadium in Egmore on Monday, additional commissioner of police Vijayendra Bidhari presented the three-month-old Labrador, Belgian Malinois, Doberman, and German Shepherd puppies — eight males and three females — to the department. The event was attended by senior officials, including deputy commissioner, estate and welfare, D N Harikiran Prasad, and DCP, armed police, M Radhakrishnan. Six dogs — two Labradors, three Belgian Malinois, and one Doberman — will focus on bomb detection. Four dogs — three Belgian Malinois and one German Shepherd — are designated for narcotics detection, while one Doberman is set to assist in tracking criminals in murder and robbery cases. The dog squad operates across two locations in Kilpauk and St Thomas Mount.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mugilan acquitted of sedition charges
Karur: Environmental activist R S Mugilan, known for his involvement in protests against the Sterlite plant and Kudankulam nuclear power project, was acquitted of sedition charges on Friday. The case stemmed from allegations that he made statements against the sovereignty of India, incited conflict between communities, and disturbed public peace during a public meeting held at Seethapatti Colony, Aravakurichi, in Karur district in April 2017. The case was filed in December that year, and Mugilan was arrested by Aravakurichi police under sections 124(A), 153(A)(1) and 505(1)(b) of IPC before he received bail from the Karur court in Sept 2018. A Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Viral Video: मृत्यू कसाही येऊ शकतो! सीसीटीव्हीत कैद झाली काळीज पिळवटणारी घटना Latest News Read More Undo fter seven years of investigation and examination of 11 witnesses, a chief judicial magistrate court in Karur acquitted the activist of the charges on Friday. "False charges were filed based on a speech in which I spoke about state rights, illegal sand mining in the Cauvery, and the need for harmony across caste and religious lines. From the outset, the case was baseless as there was nothing seditious in my address. Now, justice has finally been delivered," Mugilan told TOI. Mugilan was also arrested in 2019 for allegedly raping a 32-year-old woman in Karur, following a mysterious disappearance that lasted a few months. In November that year, he was granted bail by the Madurai bench of Madras high court. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
New Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Activist Mugilan acquitted of sedition charges in 2017 case
KARUR: Environment activist R S Mugilan, who has staged several protests including against the Sterlite plant in Thoothukudi and the nuclear power plant at Kudankulam, was acquitted of sedition charges by the chief judicial magistrate court on Friday. The case relates to a speech Mugilan made in April 2017 at a public meeting in Seethapatti Colony in Aravakurichi. In December 2017, a case was booked and Mugilan was arrested under Sections 124(A), 153(A)(1), and 505(1)(b) of IPC. He was granted bail in September 2018. During the final hearing on Friday, the judge found no evidence against Mugilan and acquitted him of all charges. Speaking to reporters, Mugilan said, 'I was charged falsely for speaking about illegal sand mining in the Cauvery river, and the importance of caste and religious harmony. I am glad justice has been served.' Mugilan has faced several cases. In 2019, he was arrested based on a sexual assault complaint lodged by a 32-year-old woman in Karur. He was granted bail by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court in November 2019.
