Tue Jan 07 13:39:07 UTC 2025: ## Tiruchi Village Residents Protest Proposed Merger with Corporation
**Tiruchirappalli, January 7, 2025** – Residents of at least three villages near Tiruchirappalli staged protests on Tuesday against their proposed merger with the Tiruchirappalli Corporation. The protests, characterized by road blockades and demonstrations at the Collector’s office, highlight widespread opposition to the government’s decision.
Villagers in Keela Valadi blocked the Tiruchi-Lalgudi Highway for an hour, arguing the merger would negatively impact their agrarian livelihoods and force them to pay increased property taxes. They also claimed the decision was made unilaterally, without consultation with residents or elected representatives. Concerns were raised about the loss of employment opportunities under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Police and revenue officials eventually mediated, promising to convey the villagers’ concerns to the state government.
Similar demonstrations took place in Nerunjalakudi and K. Kallikudi, with residents submitting petitions demanding exclusion from the merger plan. Protesters in all three villages emphasized the importance of preserving their village identities and way of life. The protests underscore the significant public resistance to the proposed merger.
First Piper 