Residents of Myliddy have firmly rejected government plans to acquire their land for the proposed expansion of Palaly Airport, stating the land represents their livelihood and historical heritage.
Residents of Myliddy have declared their opposition to surrendering land for the expansion of Palaly Airport, according to a recent discussion with Tamil political representative S. Sritharan. The government has issued written notices to acquire portions of Valikamam North land as part of the proposed airport expansion project.
During the meeting held at the Myliddy North Village Development Association building, affected residents emphasized that the land in question extends beyond simple property ownership. They characterized it as central to their livelihoods, cultural identity, and historical heritage, having been passed down through generations. The residents stated unequivocally that they would not relinquish their ancestral land under any circumstances, and rejected offers of alternative land or monetary compensation.
Residents highlighted what they describe as a pattern of injustice, noting that renewed acquisition attempts follow years of unsuccessful democratic and legal challenges to previous land takeover efforts. They requested that MP Sritharan pursue administrative action to protect their rights and urged him to facilitate an urgent meeting with the President to address their concerns and broader unresolved land issues affecting the Myliddy community.
The discussion included participation from local government officials, including Valikamam North Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Somasundaram Sugirthan and members from neighboring administrative divisions, alongside representatives from organizations focused on land rights issues.
