Arappor Iyakkam has condemned a violent attack allegedly carried out by quarry supporters during a public hearing on November 2 in Tirunelveli, where residents shared the impact of illegal stone quarries on their lives.
Around 25 men, claiming to be lawyers supporting quarry owners, stormed the meeting and attacked V Suresh, National Secretary of People’s Union For Civil Liberties (PUCL) and other participants. Mr Suresh sustained a head injury.
At a condemnation meeting held in Chennai on Sunday, Arappor coordinator Jayaram Venkatesan said the assault was a retaliatory act for exposing quarry-related irregularities and illegal mineral extraction worth over ₹600 crore in Tirunelveli.
Arappor alleged that police have not taken action against the attackers and that the FIR was filed incompletely to protect them. The organisation demanded the closure of illegal quarries, criminal action against those involved in the attack, and protection of citizens’ right to free expression. It vowed to continue documenting people’s grievances and press for government action.
Published – November 09, 2025 08:56 pm IST
