Tue Feb 04 20:04:47 IST 2025: ## Over 200 Arrested in Protest Against Tamil Nadu Space Park Land Acquisition
**THOOTHUKUDI, February 4, 2025** – Police in Thoothukudi arrested 203 people, including 111 women, on Tuesday for protesting the acquisition of land for a proposed “Space Park” near Udangudi. The protest, organized without permission, saw farmers raising slogans against the Tamil Nadu government, claiming the land acquisition for the park, which will support the nearby Kulasekarapattinam spaceport, will negatively impact their livelihoods.
The 1,200-acre land acquisition, spanning ten villages including Athiyakurichi, Madhavankurichi, Venkatramanujapuram and Sirunadarkudiyiruppu, is being overseen by a team of four tahsildars led by the District Revenue Officer. The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) is undertaking the project to facilitate ancillary units for the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) spaceport.
Farmers had previously voiced their opposition at a grievances redress meet on January 23rd, staging a walkout. Those arrested were later released in the evening. The protests highlight growing concerns over the impact of large-scale development projects on agricultural communities in the region.
First Piper 