Closure notice issued to Cuddalore pharma unit - The Hindu
5 June 2009
Special Correspondent
The Hindu
It produced a chemical without the consent of TNPCB
CUDDALORE: The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has issued closure notice to Aurobindo Pharma Ltd., located in SIPCOT Industrial Estate complex here, for producing a chemical without its consent.
Board sources said that the TNPCB had given permission to the company to produce a chemical product named 6-APA but it started to bring out a new product named 7-AVNA.
Following complaints from the Cuddalore District Consumer Protection Organisation, the Golabal Environment Monitoring and the SIPCOT Area Community Environment Monitoring, the Board inspected the company and detected the violation.
Health hazards
According to M. Nizamudeen, executive secretary of the consumer protection organisation, the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute had already come out with findings that environment in the industrial estate was highly polluted to the extent of causing health hazards to people.
Studies conducted by these three organisations had revealed that certain units in the industrial estate were producing unauthorised products thereby aggravating the problem.
Hence, they took up the issue with the State government and the TNPCB, following which the Cuddalore District Environmental Engineer (DEE) was deputed to inspect the pharma company.
Company records
From records of the company, the DEE found out that the firm had dispatched unauthorised products from its premises on March 26, 31 and April 14 and 19.
The company took the stand that the unit only carried out a trial production of the new product and given an assurance to the TNPCB that it would not go ahead with its production without the latter's consent.
Therefore, the Board sources said that the company had knowingly violated rules.
Hence, invoking Section 33A of the Water (Prevention and control of pollution) Act 1974 and Section 31A of the Air (Prevention and control of pollution) Act 1981, the TNPCB had issued closure notice to the company.
It had also directed the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board to stop power supply to the unit forthwith.
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Pollution Levels Continue to be High in SIPCOT Cuddalore
Pollution Levels Continue to be High in SIPCOT Cuddalore - SIPCOTCuddalore.com
Cuddalore, 20 May 2009: The pollution levels in SIPCOT Cuddalore continue to be very high according to the SACEM monitors. The monitors reported that most of the units including Asian Paints, Maruthi and Loyal Superfabrics are repeatedly releasing heavy smoke during the night time. They also reported extremely high odours from Pioneer Jelice, CUSECS and SPIC Pharmaceuticals.
The monitors report that though they keep the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board informed about all the ongoing violations, they are yet to see strong response from the Board and a proper action on the industries so that these violations are discontinued. The monitors have sought an appointment with the Chairperson of the TNPCB to discuss these ongoing violations and lax role of the local TNPCB.
Cuddalore, 20 May 2009: The pollution levels in SIPCOT Cuddalore continue to be very high according to the SACEM monitors. The monitors reported that most of the units including Asian Paints, Maruthi and Loyal Superfabrics are repeatedly releasing heavy smoke during the night time. They also reported extremely high odours from Pioneer Jelice, CUSECS and SPIC Pharmaceuticals.
The monitors report that though they keep the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board informed about all the ongoing violations, they are yet to see strong response from the Board and a proper action on the industries so that these violations are discontinued. The monitors have sought an appointment with the Chairperson of the TNPCB to discuss these ongoing violations and lax role of the local TNPCB.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Cuddalore port to get facelift!
Congress power sharing in TN: Sonia to decide - Asian Tribune
Mon, 2009-06-01 03:25
Gopal Ethiraj from Chennai
Chennai, 01 May, (Asiantribune.com): Congress power sharing The Union Minister of Shipping G.K. VasanThe Union Minister of Shipping G.K. Vasanin Tamil Nadu with its alliance partner DMK is gathering momentum. This is Congress men’s long-pending demand.
The Union Minister of Shipping, G.K. Vasan, who came to Chennai after taking charge, said AICC President Sonia Gandhi would decide on it. "Her decision on share in Tamil Nadu cabinet would be final."
The Congress Leader of the Floor, D.Sudarsanam, has recently stirred the hornet’s nest, expressing the feelings of his party-men. Since then the talk of sharing ministry in the state is gaining currency.
Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project is a dream project which would benefit Tamil Nadu and the country as well, Vasan said and added that certain obstacles in implementing the project has to be removed. He also said he was expecting the Pachauri Committee, which was constituted to look into it, to submit its report.
Vasan said that the roads connecting ports would be laid, and he is convening a meeting with officials concerned in this connection. The ports in Kanyakumari, Cuddalore, Ennore and Marakkanam would get facelift, he added.
On the Sri Lankan issue Vasan said the time has come for the Tamils to enjoy equal rights on par with the Sinhalese. The Centre has sanctioned Rs. 500 crore for rehabilitating the Lankan Tamils, he said. "All the essential items have been sent to Lanka for the Tamils."
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It is not clear what their "facelift" means. In worst case it could two high mast lamps and a part by the side of port trust office.
Mon, 2009-06-01 03:25
Gopal Ethiraj from Chennai
Chennai, 01 May, (Asiantribune.com): Congress power sharing The Union Minister of Shipping G.K. VasanThe Union Minister of Shipping G.K. Vasanin Tamil Nadu with its alliance partner DMK is gathering momentum. This is Congress men’s long-pending demand.
The Union Minister of Shipping, G.K. Vasan, who came to Chennai after taking charge, said AICC President Sonia Gandhi would decide on it. "Her decision on share in Tamil Nadu cabinet would be final."
The Congress Leader of the Floor, D.Sudarsanam, has recently stirred the hornet’s nest, expressing the feelings of his party-men. Since then the talk of sharing ministry in the state is gaining currency.
Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project is a dream project which would benefit Tamil Nadu and the country as well, Vasan said and added that certain obstacles in implementing the project has to be removed. He also said he was expecting the Pachauri Committee, which was constituted to look into it, to submit its report.
Vasan said that the roads connecting ports would be laid, and he is convening a meeting with officials concerned in this connection. The ports in Kanyakumari, Cuddalore, Ennore and Marakkanam would get facelift, he added.
On the Sri Lankan issue Vasan said the time has come for the Tamils to enjoy equal rights on par with the Sinhalese. The Centre has sanctioned Rs. 500 crore for rehabilitating the Lankan Tamils, he said. "All the essential items have been sent to Lanka for the Tamils."
--
It is not clear what their "facelift" means. In worst case it could two high mast lamps and a part by the side of port trust office.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Call to check dumping of chemical waste
Call to check dumping of chemical waste - The Hindu
Special Correspondent
CUDDALORE: The Cuddalore District Consumer Protection Organisation has voiced concern over indiscriminate dumping of chemical waste by unscrupulous tanker-lorry drivers in residential areas.
In a representation addressed to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, the Association’s executive secretary, M. Nizamudeen, said that a tanker lorry emptied its contents on Monday night on a piece of land near a marriage hall on the way to Soorappa Naicken Chavadi here.
It emitted unbearable stench in the nearby areas.
Mr. Nizamudeen therefore called upon the TNPCB to keep a proper check on chemical waste disposal.
If there was any likelihood of ecological damage by such reckless acts, the TNPCB should take measures to neutralise the adverse effects and initiate penal action against those responsible for it.
The Association also called upon the TNPCB to have a dedicated phone line on which complaints could be lodged round the clock and to depute staff immediately to take remedial measures.
Special Correspondent
CUDDALORE: The Cuddalore District Consumer Protection Organisation has voiced concern over indiscriminate dumping of chemical waste by unscrupulous tanker-lorry drivers in residential areas.
In a representation addressed to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, the Association’s executive secretary, M. Nizamudeen, said that a tanker lorry emptied its contents on Monday night on a piece of land near a marriage hall on the way to Soorappa Naicken Chavadi here.
It emitted unbearable stench in the nearby areas.
Mr. Nizamudeen therefore called upon the TNPCB to keep a proper check on chemical waste disposal.
If there was any likelihood of ecological damage by such reckless acts, the TNPCB should take measures to neutralise the adverse effects and initiate penal action against those responsible for it.
The Association also called upon the TNPCB to have a dedicated phone line on which complaints could be lodged round the clock and to depute staff immediately to take remedial measures.
Unidentified Tanker Lorry Dumps SIPCOT Effluent in Cuddalore Town
Unidentified Tanker Lorry Dumps SIPCOT Effluent in Cuddalore Town - SIPCOTCuddalore.com
Cuddalore 26 May, 2009: In another incident of continued blatant violation of environmental regulations in SIPCOT, Cuddalore town residents yesterday discovered an effluent dumped next TVM Marriage Hall compound by an unidentified tanker lorry. According to the sources, the effluent dump was discovered around 7.30 pm on 25 May 2009 only after people noticed very strong mosquito coil like odour from the region. The matter was immediately brought to the notice of the SACEM monitors who rushed the spot and also informed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) officials. Since it was dark in the evening the colour and extent of the effluent could not be properly determined. While the residents suspected one of the SIPCOT units to dump this effluent, any conclusive evidence of the source of effluent would only come after a proper scientific analysis of the samples.
District Environment Engineer and Assistant Environment Engineer of the TNPCB arrived at the spot within half hour and have promised to investigate the matter. More information is awaited.
Cuddalore 26 May, 2009: In another incident of continued blatant violation of environmental regulations in SIPCOT, Cuddalore town residents yesterday discovered an effluent dumped next TVM Marriage Hall compound by an unidentified tanker lorry. According to the sources, the effluent dump was discovered around 7.30 pm on 25 May 2009 only after people noticed very strong mosquito coil like odour from the region. The matter was immediately brought to the notice of the SACEM monitors who rushed the spot and also informed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) officials. Since it was dark in the evening the colour and extent of the effluent could not be properly determined. While the residents suspected one of the SIPCOT units to dump this effluent, any conclusive evidence of the source of effluent would only come after a proper scientific analysis of the samples.
District Environment Engineer and Assistant Environment Engineer of the TNPCB arrived at the spot within half hour and have promised to investigate the matter. More information is awaited.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Mosquito trap
Something Cuddalore needs very badly at the moment.
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A ‘trap’ to prevent mosquito breeding - The Hindu
Shastry V. Mallady
The ‘trap’ will be of great use in rubber plantations.
MADURAI: A simple ‘trap’ to prevent breeding of mosquitoes, designed at the Centre for Research in Medical Entomology (CRME) here, a laboratory under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), is getting ready to be patented.
An anti-breeding trap with easy to handle mechanical design would be of great use, particularly in rubber plantations of Kerala, where the breeding of Aedes albopictus mosquito is the root cause of dengue, according to CRME entomologists.
“This mosquito is a transmitter of vector-borne diseases like dengue. It breeds in rubber plantations and then becomes disease carrier. So, we have come out with a simple solution to a major problem,” B.K. Tyagi, Officer in-charge, CRME, told The Hindu here on Thursday.
The anti-Aedes albopictus breeding trap would be put on rubber collection cups in plantations. It would be able to prevent breeding because of the “simple engineering work” done with regard to the mesh, netting, slider and gauge. The cost of this trap would be just around Rs.100 and materials used by the CRME would be familiar to plantation workers. “We have experimented with the trap locally and found that mosquito breeding did not occur in places where it was tested,” he said. Documentary evidence was sent to the ICMR requesting to initiate the process for getting a patent.
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A ‘trap’ to prevent mosquito breeding - The Hindu
Shastry V. Mallady
— Photo: K. Ganesan
The ‘trap’ will be of great use in rubber plantations.MADURAI: A simple ‘trap’ to prevent breeding of mosquitoes, designed at the Centre for Research in Medical Entomology (CRME) here, a laboratory under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), is getting ready to be patented.
An anti-breeding trap with easy to handle mechanical design would be of great use, particularly in rubber plantations of Kerala, where the breeding of Aedes albopictus mosquito is the root cause of dengue, according to CRME entomologists.
“This mosquito is a transmitter of vector-borne diseases like dengue. It breeds in rubber plantations and then becomes disease carrier. So, we have come out with a simple solution to a major problem,” B.K. Tyagi, Officer in-charge, CRME, told The Hindu here on Thursday.
The anti-Aedes albopictus breeding trap would be put on rubber collection cups in plantations. It would be able to prevent breeding because of the “simple engineering work” done with regard to the mesh, netting, slider and gauge. The cost of this trap would be just around Rs.100 and materials used by the CRME would be familiar to plantation workers. “We have experimented with the trap locally and found that mosquito breeding did not occur in places where it was tested,” he said. Documentary evidence was sent to the ICMR requesting to initiate the process for getting a patent.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Commercial complex at busstand premises demolished
After a long struggle the commercial complex in Cuddalore bus stand premises is demolished.
Related article:
Everyone's eye set on next move
Related article:
Everyone's eye set on next move
Inaction From TNPCB Helps SIPCOT Unit Cover Up Illegality
Inaction From TNPCB Helps SIPCOT Unit Cover Up Illegality - SipcotCuddalore.com
Cuddalore 27 April 2009: Local monitors report that delay from the TNPCB in taking action on the illegal operations of Aurobindo Pharma may have helped the unit cover up its illegalities and escape punishment. According to the sources the unit has been producing a chemical (7AVMA) without valid permissions under the Consent to Establish and Operate for the past few months. On the evening of 22 April 2009 Cuddalore District Consumer Protection Organisation (CDCPO) brought this illegality to the notice of the DEE Cuddalore through a fax. In its letter CDCPO also mentioned that the unit had constructed a 500 tonne storage tank as opposed to the 100 tonnes permitted by the TNPCB. Even though the DEE was alerted about this illegality in the evening of 22nd April, he did not make a site visit to investigate the complaint until the evening of the 24th April thus giving time to the unit to cover its tracks. After visiting the unit the DEE informed the complainant on the phone that the unit had undertaken trial runs of the product without valid permission but did not mention or assure about his course of action on the unit for this violation. Even after the site visit no action has been taken on the unit so far.
Moreover it is now learnt from the workers inside the unit that on the evening of 26th April 2009, the unit illegally transported one tanker lorry of the chemical (7AVMA) to Banguluru to escape punishment. Residents believe that the delay in the investigations and action of TNPCB officials have led to this situation where the unit has adopted measures to cover up its illegalities and is likely to escape punishment.
Illegal operations and delay in the action of the TNPCB has been highlighted in several cases before. This case merely reinforces the lack of political will of the TNPCB to take action on the violators. A complaint on this incident has been filed with the Chairperson of TNPCB specifically demanding enquiry on the role of the DEE in implementing the environmental law in the SIPCOT region.
Cuddalore 27 April 2009: Local monitors report that delay from the TNPCB in taking action on the illegal operations of Aurobindo Pharma may have helped the unit cover up its illegalities and escape punishment. According to the sources the unit has been producing a chemical (7AVMA) without valid permissions under the Consent to Establish and Operate for the past few months. On the evening of 22 April 2009 Cuddalore District Consumer Protection Organisation (CDCPO) brought this illegality to the notice of the DEE Cuddalore through a fax. In its letter CDCPO also mentioned that the unit had constructed a 500 tonne storage tank as opposed to the 100 tonnes permitted by the TNPCB. Even though the DEE was alerted about this illegality in the evening of 22nd April, he did not make a site visit to investigate the complaint until the evening of the 24th April thus giving time to the unit to cover its tracks. After visiting the unit the DEE informed the complainant on the phone that the unit had undertaken trial runs of the product without valid permission but did not mention or assure about his course of action on the unit for this violation. Even after the site visit no action has been taken on the unit so far.
Moreover it is now learnt from the workers inside the unit that on the evening of 26th April 2009, the unit illegally transported one tanker lorry of the chemical (7AVMA) to Banguluru to escape punishment. Residents believe that the delay in the investigations and action of TNPCB officials have led to this situation where the unit has adopted measures to cover up its illegalities and is likely to escape punishment.
Illegal operations and delay in the action of the TNPCB has been highlighted in several cases before. This case merely reinforces the lack of political will of the TNPCB to take action on the violators. A complaint on this incident has been filed with the Chairperson of TNPCB specifically demanding enquiry on the role of the DEE in implementing the environmental law in the SIPCOT region.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Tamil film directors to campaign in Cuddalore
Tamil directors jump into poll campaigning - The Times of India
2 May 2009, 0509 hrs IST, TNN
CHENNAI: A section of the film fraternity, led by director Bharathiraja, has decided to take a plunge into electioneering. Not for canvassing
votes but to seek support for the Eelam cause.
Tamil film directors including Bharatiraja, R K Selvamani, R Sundarrajan, Seeman, Ameer, Cheran, Selvabharathy , actors Vadivelu, Manivannan and poets Arivumathi and Snehan all members of the newly-constituted Tamil Film World Tamil Eelam Supporters' Movement would be touring Congress bastions and constituencies where the party has fielded its candidates. They will camapign in the state from May 4 to 11.
"We have come together not for vote gathering, but to garner support for our Tamil brethren in Sri Lanka. Our agenda is to identify those politicians we consider as hostile to the plight of ethnic Tamils in Sri Lanka," said Bharatiraja, in a veiled reference to Congress leaders. However, he refused to identify them.
The campaign would kick off from Anna Statue in Kancheepuram before proceeding to Salem, Thiruppur, Dindigul, Virudhunagar, Tenkasi, Thiurnelveli, Cuddalore and Pudhicerry. The director also affirmed that the movement would oppose the visit of Sonia Gandhi to Tamil Nadu "until she gives a call to stop the war."
2 May 2009, 0509 hrs IST, TNN
CHENNAI: A section of the film fraternity, led by director Bharathiraja, has decided to take a plunge into electioneering. Not for canvassing
votes but to seek support for the Eelam cause.
Tamil film directors including Bharatiraja, R K Selvamani, R Sundarrajan, Seeman, Ameer, Cheran, Selvabharathy , actors Vadivelu, Manivannan and poets Arivumathi and Snehan all members of the newly-constituted Tamil Film World Tamil Eelam Supporters' Movement would be touring Congress bastions and constituencies where the party has fielded its candidates. They will camapign in the state from May 4 to 11.
"We have come together not for vote gathering, but to garner support for our Tamil brethren in Sri Lanka. Our agenda is to identify those politicians we consider as hostile to the plight of ethnic Tamils in Sri Lanka," said Bharatiraja, in a veiled reference to Congress leaders. However, he refused to identify them.
The campaign would kick off from Anna Statue in Kancheepuram before proceeding to Salem, Thiruppur, Dindigul, Virudhunagar, Tenkasi, Thiurnelveli, Cuddalore and Pudhicerry. The director also affirmed that the movement would oppose the visit of Sonia Gandhi to Tamil Nadu "until she gives a call to stop the war."
Lankan Tamils saved near Cuddalore coast
Oil ship personnel save two Lankan Tamils from mid-sea - The Hindu
Rameswaram (PTI): Two Sri Lankan Tamils, who were drifting in the mid-sea off Cuddalore coast in South Arcot district, were saved by the personnel of an oil ship, on Saturday night.
According to Q-branch police officials, Athan (27) and Dansan (39) were slowly moving in the mid-sea in a boat, after the engine of their boat fell into the sea four days back.
The personnel of the ship, which was transporting oil for Reliance, handed both of them to the Coast Guard and they were brought to the Mandapam camp on Sunday.
Athan and Dansan had fled the battle ridden island nation fearing for their lives and the engine of their boat fell into the sea, according to police.
They said the army was attacking Kudiyiruppu area in Mullaitivu when they left the country. Some persons who were fleeing from the area had been shot dead by the army, they claimed.
Some people were escaping by boats to Mathalai and from there to Trincomallee and surrendering before the army, they added.
Rameswaram (PTI): Two Sri Lankan Tamils, who were drifting in the mid-sea off Cuddalore coast in South Arcot district, were saved by the personnel of an oil ship, on Saturday night.
According to Q-branch police officials, Athan (27) and Dansan (39) were slowly moving in the mid-sea in a boat, after the engine of their boat fell into the sea four days back.
The personnel of the ship, which was transporting oil for Reliance, handed both of them to the Coast Guard and they were brought to the Mandapam camp on Sunday.
Athan and Dansan had fled the battle ridden island nation fearing for their lives and the engine of their boat fell into the sea, according to police.
They said the army was attacking Kudiyiruppu area in Mullaitivu when they left the country. Some persons who were fleeing from the area had been shot dead by the army, they claimed.
Some people were escaping by boats to Mathalai and from there to Trincomallee and surrendering before the army, they added.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The Sachet
An article on the revolutionary business man from Cuddalore that appeared in LiveMint.
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The sachet
When schoolteacher Chinni Krishnan made a career change to run a pharma company in the early 1970s, he had a simple business plan in mind: making medicines affordable to the common man. His factory in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, made medicines and healing salts packaged in 5g packets that were otherwise available in the markets in 100g packets.
Krishnan may not have known it then, but he laid the groundwork for the sachet concept, India’s biggest marketing revolution. Years later, in the late 1970s, his son C.K. Rajkumarextended the concept by introducing Velvette-branded shampoos in sachets at affordable price points (as low as Rs2) and creating an addressable market running into millions not touched by sales of the product in bottles. Rajkumar’s brother C.K. Ranganathan(present chairman and managing director of consumer products firm CavinKarePvt. Ltd) came up with a product, branded Chikshampoo, stretching the market size even further.
Read full article>>
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The sachet
When schoolteacher Chinni Krishnan made a career change to run a pharma company in the early 1970s, he had a simple business plan in mind: making medicines affordable to the common man. His factory in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, made medicines and healing salts packaged in 5g packets that were otherwise available in the markets in 100g packets.
Krishnan may not have known it then, but he laid the groundwork for the sachet concept, India’s biggest marketing revolution. Years later, in the late 1970s, his son C.K. Rajkumarextended the concept by introducing Velvette-branded shampoos in sachets at affordable price points (as low as Rs2) and creating an addressable market running into millions not touched by sales of the product in bottles. Rajkumar’s brother C.K. Ranganathan(present chairman and managing director of consumer products firm CavinKarePvt. Ltd) came up with a product, branded Chikshampoo, stretching the market size even further.
Read full article>>
Photographs of Tom Pietrasik
Tom Pietrasik is a British photographer who visits India quiet often. His photographs are regularly featured in The Times Magazine, National Geographic Adventure and many other reputed magazine.
Tom Pietrasik had visited Cuddalore and photographed tsunami orphans.
Visit http://www.tompietrasik.com/ (and click Tsunami Lives) to find his photographs taken in Cuddalore.
Tom Pietrasik had visited Cuddalore and photographed tsunami orphans.
Visit http://www.tompietrasik.com/ (and click Tsunami Lives) to find his photographs taken in Cuddalore.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Narikkorava community demands right to vote
Narikkorava community demands right to vote - The Hindu
Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu) (IANS): Over 100 tribals of Tamil Nadu's Narikkorava community held a demonstration here Wednesday, demanding the right to vote, police said.
"This near illiterate gypsy tribe could not cast their votes so far due to their nomadic character, though they were issued ration cards 10 years ago. We are assuring them all help this time," a police official said after persuading the tribals to give up their protest.
"We have a history going back thousands of years and are as much citizens of this nation as others. Yet, we have been marginalised, termed untouchables and (have) never voted. Now we want to assert our rights," a spokesman of the group, Domba Raja, said.
The state's Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta said the poll panel will look into the community's grievances.
"We are particular that nobody should be denied the right to vote and will take immediate action if representations from this group reaches us directly or the district administration," Gupta told IANS on phone from Chennai.
The tribe's origins are traced to European Roma gypsies and to several others from Rajasthan, Gujarat and Orissa, according to accounts published by Edgar Thurston in 1909.
According to the police, most members of the tribe live in Tamil Nadu and parts of Kerala. They used to be trappers and hunters, but hunting has now been banned. One of their traditional handicarfts is the making of bead garlands.
Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu) (IANS): Over 100 tribals of Tamil Nadu's Narikkorava community held a demonstration here Wednesday, demanding the right to vote, police said.
"This near illiterate gypsy tribe could not cast their votes so far due to their nomadic character, though they were issued ration cards 10 years ago. We are assuring them all help this time," a police official said after persuading the tribals to give up their protest.
"We have a history going back thousands of years and are as much citizens of this nation as others. Yet, we have been marginalised, termed untouchables and (have) never voted. Now we want to assert our rights," a spokesman of the group, Domba Raja, said.
The state's Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta said the poll panel will look into the community's grievances.
"We are particular that nobody should be denied the right to vote and will take immediate action if representations from this group reaches us directly or the district administration," Gupta told IANS on phone from Chennai.
The tribe's origins are traced to European Roma gypsies and to several others from Rajasthan, Gujarat and Orissa, according to accounts published by Edgar Thurston in 1909.
According to the police, most members of the tribe live in Tamil Nadu and parts of Kerala. They used to be trappers and hunters, but hunting has now been banned. One of their traditional handicarfts is the making of bead garlands.
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