Madurai activist moves court seeking protection under Witness Protection Scheme

Updated - April 22, 2025 02:50 pm IST - MADURAI

A Madurai-based activist facing threat from quarry operators has filed a petition before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court seeking a direction to police to provide adequate protection to him and his family under the Witness Protection Scheme.

Justice P. Dhanabal ordered notice to the authorities on a petition filed by M. Gnanasekaran. The petitioner said that for the past 22 years, around 10 quarries were operating in and around Kachaikatti in Vadipatti in blatant violation of the law.

The people who were dependent on agriculture were affected. Despite repeated representations and complaints made by the affected villagers to the district administration, no action was initiated against the violators. In order to draw the attention of the authorities, the villagers staged a peaceful protest and a formal complaint was also filed highlighting the illegal quarry operations, he said.

However, as a consequence of the continuous complaints, the petitioner said he was assaulted near his residence in December 2024. Following a complaint, an FIR was registered. He received treatment at Government Rajaji Hospital for the injuries, he said.

Several quarry owners and crusher operators were continuing to operate in violation of the law, threatening the well-being and safety of the villagers, the petitioner said, adding that he was facing threat from the quarry operators.

The groundwater was getting polluted and the natural resources were being exploited. The authorities were duty bound to take action, he said and sought a direction to police to provide protection to him and his family.