10 organisations urge Modi not to participate in the function

Elaborate security arrangements are being made in Coimbatore ahead of the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Isha Yoga Centre on February 24 (Friday).

Senior police officers J.K. Tripathi, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), and S. Davidson Devasirvatham, Inspector General of Police (Intelligence) on Wednesday reviewed security arrangements at Isha Yoga Centre where Mr. Modi will attend the consecration of Lord Shiva idol.

The police said that IAF choppers from Sulur Air Base took rehearsal flights to the helipad near Isha Yoga Centre. According to police, Mr. Modi will arrive Sulur Air Base on Friday evening and leave for Isha Yoga Centre in a chopper. Additional number of police will be deployed at Isha Yoga Centre, near Sulur Air Base and Coimbatore International Airport.

Coimbatore Medical College authorities said that four emergency medical teams have been formed for the visit of the Prime Minister. A meeting of senior officials from various departments including police, health, and highways were also held on Wednesday.

The police have announced traffic regulation on Friday in view of the transit of senior political leaders Central and State ministers from Coimbatore International Airport to Isha Yoga Centre. The restrictions will be in place on Avinashi Road from airport to Sugam bypass, followed by Ukkadam, Perur bypass road up to Selvapuram Government Higher Secondary School, Sivalaya junction at Selvapuram to Isha Yoga Centre. Parking of vehicles on the sides of roads will not be allowed on Ukkadam link road - Perur bypass, and Sivalaya junction - Thelungupalayam pirivu.

Heavy duty vehicles will not be allowed on these roads from 8 a.m to 9 p.m. on Friday. Instead, such vehicles can be plied on L and T bypass, Padannur-Nanjundapuram road.

Violations alleged

Meanwhile, ten organisations have urged the Prime Minister not to participate in the function. Tamil Nadu Tribals’ Association, Centre of Indian Trade Unions, Samuga Neethi Katchi and a few other Left-affiliated organisations have said in a release that the Yoga Centre was on the catchment of River Noyyal.

They alleged that the organisation had violated building construction rules, had not obtained the requisite permission for relevant authorities, and its activities hindered biodiversity and environment in the region, which was also an elephant corridor. Elephants’ foray into human habitation had increased in the region result in crop loss to farmers and human-animal conflict. In this backdrop, the Prime Minister’s visit would amount to approving of the alleged illegal activities, the release said.

Special Correspondent from Chennai adds:

At a press conference in Chennai on Wednesday, retired Madras High Court judge P. Hariparanthaman said the visit of the Prime Minister would amount to interfering with administration of justice, “and would legalise the number of illegalities committed by the foundation”.

He pointed out that a “lock and seal demolition notice” had been issued on the Foundation on December 12, 2012 by the deputy director, town and country planning, Coimbatore region.

The notice directed them to “demolish within 30 days all religious buildings and other buildings within the campus in survey nos. 48/1, 48/2, 49, 50, at Ikkarai Pooluvampatty village and restore the land to its original condition”.

Notice issued

A ‘stop work notice on unauthorised construction’ issued to Isha Foundation, a copy of which was given to the media, had asked the organisation to stop construction immediately and seek necessary permission within 3 days. The notice said the Foundation had not received any permission for construction of 60 buildings which were already complete and another 34 which were under construction, at that point of time.

R. Nallakannu, CPI leader, claimed the Foundation has obstructed the elephant corridor by putting up fences, leading to more man-animal conflicts in the region.

CPI(M) state secretary, G. Ramakrishnan said the Mahashivratri event would affect the environment. “The livelihood of those living in the hills will be affected. This cannot be accepted.”

Poovulagin Nanbargal that has filed a PIL at the Madras High Court and the National Green Tribunal claimed that the Isha foundation has illegally constructed buildings to the extent of 1,25,000 sq.mtrs at the Velliangiri Hills, Coimbatore.

Isha’s defence

However, in a blog post on February 18, Isha Foundation, had said, “We have obtained the approval of the necessary authorities, including the District Collector, Coimbatore, the Forest Department and BSNL.

A structural stability certificate from a government certified engineer has also been obtained for the 112-ft Adiyogi statue. A “No Objection Certificate” from the District Collector, Coimbatore, for using wetlands for non-agricultural purposes has also been obtained. So the question of violation does not even arise.”