Villagers in and around Neduvasal staged a stir for the third consecutive day on Wednesday in protest against the proposed exploration of hydrocarbon in the village.

A signature campaign was organised. Communist Party of India cadre affixed their signatures.

R. Mutharasan, state secretary, CPI, visited the village and inspected the fields where farmers were cultivating coconut, banana or paddy. He inspected an old rig set up about a decade ago at Vaanakkankadu for the exploration on a trial basis.

He said that the state government should urge the Centre to withdraw the project. He wanted the police to ensure the democratic rights of villagers to express their protest against the proposal. He condemned the police for arresting those five persons who had gone to the town police seeking permission for a fast stir against the project.

Earlier, villagers convened a meeting and discussed the procedure to be adopted for the stir.