Residents of Pottalurani village in Thoothukudi district plan to boycott the Tamil Nadu Assembly election for the second time, demanding closure of nearby fish waste processing units. Over 900 people boycotted the 2024 Lok Sabha election over the same issue. They also seek bifurcation into a separate panchayat and withdrawal of protest-related cases.
Residents of Pottalurani village, under Ottapidaram Assembly constituency in Thoothukudi district, have decided to boycott the Tamil Nadu Assembly election for the second consecutive time. Their main demand, pending since 2019, is the closure of fish waste processing units operating near the village, despite multiple petitions submitted to authorities. The protest gained intensity in early 2024 before the Lok Sabha polls, where more than 900 residents abstained. The village has 912 voters according to the final electoral roll released in February 2026—422 men and 490 women. A. Shanmugam, a local resident, pointed out three units: two in Vadakku Karaseri, about a kilometre away, and one at Pottalurani junction. “Residents have been put to hardship because of the foul stench emanating from all three units. This is affecting the health of many people,” he said. These units operate on agricultural lands, causing difficulties for farmers during cultivation. Shanmugam also called for separating Pottalurani from Ellainayakkanpatti panchayat into its own entity, citing poor implementation of government projects, lack of street lights, and inadequate drinking water supply. E. Sankaranarayanan demanded withdrawal of “all false cases” filed against protesters. He emphasized that closure of the units is the primary demand and that residents would participate in voting if addressed beforehand.
