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Farmers who gave land for Parandur airport face uncertainty

admin — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 20:09:00 +0000

In limbo: So far, nearly 1,700 acres of land has been acquired in various villages for the project. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

A few months ago, Murugan, a farmer and resident of Nagapattu, was under duress to give his agricultural land for the Parandur airport project. “I was absolutely against it. But I had to give my farmland since it was for the development of the State, and it would create lakhs of jobs. I received the compensation. But now, I’m shocked that there is nothing happening. We are staring at uncertainty, wondering why we gave the land,” he says.

Many residents and farmers who gave their farmland are worried about their future, as they do not know whether the project would take off.

Planned to be built at an estimated cost of ₹27,400 crore in four phases on an area of 2,172.72 hectares, the airport was announced in 2022. Demonstrations erupted soon after. Simultaneously, the government pursued the approval. In April 2025, the approval finally came. Land acquisition began, and continued till the State went into election mode. So far, nearly 1,700 acres has been acquired in various villages.

“Obviously, none of us wanted to move out of our home town. But it has come to a point where we would be in peace if a decision is taken soon. If they want to build an airport, let them do it soon and relocate us. But instead of Siruvallur, which has been identified for us, we want to go to Karai as it is more convenient. We also want more compensation,” Mr. Murugan adds.

Shanmugham, another resident of Nagapattu, highlights some of the problems that have emerged from this uncertainty. “If there is a sewage leak or an issue with the lighting in the village, it doesn’t get resolved. The authorities say we are anyway being shifted,” he adds.

Sivaprakasam, of Nelvoy village, who gave five acres for the project, says he and his neighbours want to move to Karai. “Since we have to shift anyway, we might as well go to Karai since we will have better transport, and it will be easier to get jobs. But we need monthly assistance,” he adds.

Sangeetha, another resident, says her family wanted to build a house, but they cannot get building permission owing to the uncertainty.

Some residents who parted with their land say they don’t have a problem with the project as it promises employment. But they want assured jobs for their children. Nagappan of Gunagarampakkam says, “The government claims lakhs of jobs will be created by the airport. We need jobs for the youth, and I want the government to provide one to each affected family.”

Mr. Murugan says he strongly opposes any other alternative to the airport, such as SIPCOT. “I offered to give my land for the airport project only because everyone said the State would develop significantly, and lakhs of jobs would be created in Chennai. You cannot take my land, promising that you will use it for the airport, and then repurpose it for other projects,” he adds.

G. Archana of Nagapattu says she used to work at a small firm near the Bengaluru airport. “If there was something like that in this village, I would have worked and supported my family. There is nothing here. If the airport comes up, at least my children, who are studying now, will get good jobs, and the entire area will be developed. But all of us want better compensation,” she adds.

Published – June 02, 2026 09:46 pm IST

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UK To Compensate LGBTQ Veterans Sacked By Army

admin — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 17:17:59 +0000

The British government will allocate 75 million pounds ($96 million) to compensate LGBTQ military veterans sacked by the army over their sexual orientation, the defence ministry announced on Thursday.

Until a 2000 reform, lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people were barred from military service in Britain. Those who were found out were often harassed, abused and sacked, according to a government-commissioned report last year.

Seeking to right “historic wrongs”, former armed forces members or employees sacked over their sexuality or gender identity will be eligible to receive £50,000 each, the defence ministry said — a larger amount than initially expected.

“The historic treatment of LGBT veterans was a moral stain on our nation. Our government is determined to right the wrongs of the past and recognise the hurt that too many endured,” Defence Secretary John Healey said in a statement.

Besides losing their jobs and being subjected to public humiliation, the veterans involved were sometimes stripped of their pension benefits, living the rest of their lives in poverty.

“We fully welcome our LGBT veterans back into Defence, and acknowledge their vital contribution to keeping the nation safe,” said Minister for Veterans Alistair Carns.

Additional compensation of £1,000 to £20,000 will be offered based on the “suffering” of particular individuals, whether harassment, brutal interrogations or imprisonment, officials said.

Victims will also be able to request the reinstatement of their military rank and medals.

Parliament is due to debate the measure on Thursday, but veterans can already begin filing their compensation requests online.

In July 2023, a report ordered by Britain’s then-Conservative Party government revealed the “horrendous” treatment of LGBTQ veterans who had served between 1967 and 2000.

The day it was published, former prime minister Rishi Sunak apologised on behalf of the government. He then set in motion the process that led to Thursday’s reparations announcement.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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UK Man Enslaved For 26 Years In Filthy Caravan To Receive Rs 3.75 Crore

admin — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 02:52:35 +0000

The victim endured brutal conditions and extreme deprivation. (Representative Image)

A man has been awarded 352,000 pounds (Rs 3.75 crore approx), as compensation for being held captive and enslaved by a wealthy family, the Rooneys, for over two decades, according to The Metro. The victim, known only as ‘Victim A’, was subjected to unimaginable cruelty, forced to live in squalid caravans on the family’s traveller site in Lincolnshire.

The Rooney family is alleged to have been running a regime of terror for over twenty years, exploiting vulnerable homeless men. Some were brutally pounded while being made to work for little or no wages, accommodated in pathetic conditions where their basic requirements remained neglected. Some were even told that they would be killed if they refused to comply with their demands.

According to theNews Outlet,Photographs of the caravans show a shocking image of privation with dirty beds, no food, and unsanitary conditions. Moreover, the captors also frequently fed the victims with scraps and treated them in contempt.

Fifteen other men who shared that fate ended up dying before justice could be served. During this, the Rooney family had amassed a fortune of more than 1.5 million pounds while their victims were enduring unimaginable suffering.

In 2017, eleven members of this family were imprisoned for combined 79 years for their crimes. Their heinous acts still lead to devastating consequences in the lives of those victims.

The 352,000 pounds compensation to be paid to Victim A will go some way toward underpinning his financial security, enabling him to receive the necessary care. This, however, cannot in any way be held to remove the years of torment they all suffered at the hands of their captors.

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