In OthakkalMandapam area, people gheraoed officials involved in the first phase of work protesting against the construction of an electric crematorium near ancient temples and schools.
Coimbatore: The nearly 1,000-year-old Easwaran temple at Othakkal Mandapam on the Coimbatore-Pollachi road. The 1350-year-old Perumal temple and the 500-year-old Angalamman temple are adjacent to each other.
A private higher secondary school is also functioning nearby. In this context, a resolution was passed in Othakkal Mandapam Town Panchayat to construct a new electric crematorium between Easwaran Thirukkovil and a private school at an estimated cost of about Rs 1 crore.
The first phase of the work was started today using JCB vehicles even as the people of the area had submitted a petition to the district collector against the decision.
On hearing this, more than 100 people went there and got into an argument with the officials.
They also gheraoed the officials and the JCB vehicle and staged a protest at the crematorium site. Following this, police from Chettipalayam police station rushed to the spot and held talks with the public.
The public dispersed after they were assured that the work on the construction of the electric crematorium would start only after talking to the higher officials in this regard and arriving at a solution.
Speaking during the protest they said, "It is condemnable that an electric crematorium is being constructed near the centuries-old temples and schools despite being adjacent to it. If an electric crematorium is set up, the public and students will be severely affected.
Already, buses going from Coimbatore to Pollachi and Pollachi to Coimbatore are not coming to Othakkal Mandapam bus stop but are getting into the flyover, causing inconvenience to the public. If the electric crematorium is located close to the highway, the traffic will be affected.
Steps should be taken to set up an electric crematorium in an area other than the place where the electric crematorium is to be set up at present.
Also, if an electric crematorium is set up at the selected site, a massive agitation will be held.”