An environmental activist, Arumugam (44), who staged a protest atop Viralimalai Murugan Temple , in Pudukkottai, on the morning of August 15 demanding a peacock sanctuary, died after slipping while descending when fire service and police personnel tried to persuade him to come down.
It is learnt that Arumugam, a resident of Kodumbalur, was orthopaedically challenged. He had been demanding the removal of encroachments around the Murugan temples and the setting up of a sanctuary for peafowl in the temple precincts. The place is abundant with peacocks and peahens.
Arumugam climbed atop the temple tower on August 15 in a risky protest given his physical condition, pressing for the fulfilment of his demands. Earlier, he had risked his life by climbing a mobile phone tower last year for the same cause. Finding that his demands were not considered even after a year, he scaled the temple tower around 7 am on Friday and unfurled the National Flag at the top. On seeing him atop the tower, members of the public alerted the police and fire services.
Officials who rushed to the spot tried to persuade him to climb down and hold talks. But he refused, insisting he would come down only after receiving an assurance from the Pudukkottai District Magistrate, who was busy with Independence Day celebrations. Officials continued their efforts, while fire and rescue personnel, along with the police, attempted to climb up to bring him down. Arumugam reminded them that during a similar protest atop a private mobile tower, officials had assured him that his demands would be met, but no action had been taken even till August 15. He demanded a prompt reply this time and continued to raise slogans in support of his cause.
When officials neared him, Arumugam threatened that if they came closer, he would jump. The rescue team then withdrew. The protest continued for more than five hours until Tahsildar Ramesh pacified Arumugam, assuring him that his demands would be fulfilled, and requested him to come down. As he began descending after these assurances, the rescue team attempted to help him. However, at around 40 feet, while holding on to the idols in the tower, he lost balance and fell. His head struck the ground, and he died on the spot from the impact.
The Viralimalai Police have registered a case, sent the body for autopsy, and are continuing their investigation.
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