10 families in Namakkal district say they face ostracization

NAMAKKAL: Ten families living in Atthappampatty village have submitted a petition to Namakkal district collector Durga Moorthy alleging that they have been “ostracised” by a section of villagers as they have opposed the “selfish fishing activities” of some villagers. The families sought the collector’s intervention in the matter. According to those who face the alleged ostracization, some people used fishing rights and sold fish to generate substantial income while claiming that the activity benefited the wider community. They alleged that a small group got the profit and those who questioned the practice were targeted. The families said they had been excluded from community interactions and local support systems.N Kandasamy, one of the affected villagers, told TOI that, three years ago, money had been collected from the public to bring water from the Oomaiyampatty lake to the Atthappampatty and Sikkidichipalayam lakes. "With that money, a pipeline was laid, water was brought in and the lakes were filled," he said. After the lakes were filled, large-scale commercial fish farming was taking place every year. Auctions were held for the sale of the fish raised in this way.He alleged that only some people profited from the fish farming. “They insulted us using inappropriate words when we opposed it,” he said. District collector Durga Moorthy told TOI that she had received a petition from the villagers. "I have forwarded the petition to the Tiruchengode revenue divisional officer and tahsildar to look into this issue," she said.