Major protest in Mannar against wind mill project

Thousands of people from various parts of the district came to Mannar today (29)  expressed their opposition to the proposed wind farm project in Mannar and  condemned the police attack on people by taking to the streets..

A general strike has been called for the entire Mannar district today, Monday. The Mannar Citizens' Group and the Protest Committee jointly called for the protest.

All commercial establishments in all areas, including the Mannar Bazaar area, were closed from Monday morning (29).

All private transport services were stopped. Fishermen in various villages did not go fishing. In this situation, thousands of people gathered at the Mannar public playground at 10.30 am.

The protest march began from the public playground.

The rally began to condemn the construction of wind turbine towers in Mannar, which is being carried out despite public opposition, the mining of mineral sand in Mannar, and the attacks on the public and priests by the police two days ago.

A  group arrived from Colombo to show support for the protest. Social activists from some districts in the north also participated in support. The rally, which began at the public playground, proceeded along the General Hospital Road and reached the Mannar Bazaar area via the Mannar Police Station Road.

Later, people gathered in front of the Mannar District Secretariat and raised slogans against the wind farm and sand mining. This caused tension in the area for some time. Later, the Mannar District Government Agent, K. Kanageswaran, visited the place where the people had gathered.
 

During this, a letter to be sent to the President on behalf of the protest group was handed over to the Mannar District Government Agent. Upon receiving the letter, the Government Agent stated that he would immediately take further action. Following this, the protesters went to the area around Mannar city where the protest was taking place.

In this situation, the protesters raised slogans demanding action against the police who attacked the protesters two days ago.

This led to a standoff between the police and the protesters. In this situation, riot police were called to the scene. Later, as the standoff continued, religious leaders went to the scene, spoke to the protesters, and removed everyone from the scene. Following this, they stood in the bazaar area and expressed their opposition.

They also demanded that action be taken to immediately stop the ongoing construction of wind turbine towers. They also demanded that action be taken against the police who attacked the people. It is noteworthy that religious leaders, thousands of people, and political representatives participated in the protest.

The District Secretary promised to look into their demands and convey their concerns to the Government. Accordingly the protesters dispersed.

Pix and text by N.Lohathayalan