Villagers near Namakkal threaten to boycott TN assembly election over govt’s failure to repair check dams

NAMAKKAL: People in Soudapuram village in Namakkal district on Saturday announced that they would boycott the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly election to protest the failure of the govt to repair two check dams in their area.The check dams were across a stream in Soudapuram village near Veppadai built 25 years ago. During the rainy season, around 1,000 acres of agricultural land in Dasangadu, Karattangadu, Periyasangili, Nathakadu and other areas were irrigated with water stored in these reservoirs. These check dams helped replenish the groundwater table. The villagers said the two check dams were damaged and water was flowing out. "We requested water resources department officials to repair the check dams, but work has not taken place even after many years," a villager said.The villagers said water resources department officials should take appropriate action within a week. They said if their demand was not heeded, they would boycott the upcoming assembly election.