Tribal women stage protest demanding basic amenities

Tribal women from Pattiyakadu village near Vadakavunji panchayat in Kodaikanal in Dindigul district on Monday staged a protest at the Dindigul Collectorate with empty pots demanding the authorities to provide basic amenities to their village.

The women said more than 250 people from 48 families have been living in the village for over two generations. They said they relied on agricultural labour work for their livelihood. Their children attended school in Sembiran Kulam.

They said the Forest Department officials had earlier arranged water supply to the village by connecting a pipe to a nearby waterfall. The villagers used to draw water from the pipe for their needs. However, the pipe was damaged by some miscreants and the water supply to the village was cut off, they said.

The women said they were facing much hardship in getting the water supply. For over three months, they were travelling about six km to Sembiran Kulam to fetch water for their needs. It had become extremely difficult, they said, adding despite submitting multiple petitions to the authorities in this regard, no action has been taken so far.

The women also complained about the lack of bus services to their village. They said they were facing hardship due to the lack of transport facilities.

Construction of houses for the tribal community has also not been completed, they complained, adding that the authorities should also lay proper roads in the village and install a telephone tower in the area. The women urged the authorities concerned to fulfil their demands and ensure that basic amenities were provided to their village.