An alleged unauthorized construction inside a municipal park in Thuraiyur has triggered the dmk councillor issue, with civic authorities initiating legal action over the encroachment.
[Tiruchirappalli]: A controversy has emerged in Thuraiyur after a DMK councillor was accused of constructing a private room and an indoor badminton court inside a municipal park without obtaining official approval. The incident has raised concerns over the alleged misuse of public property and the protection of civic spaces meant for residents.
The dmk councillor issue centres around Veeramanikandan, the elected representative of Ward 22 in Thuraiyur Municipality. According to the allegations, the councillor, who is also a contractor, occupied a section of the municipal park and constructed a private room for personal use. He is also alleged to have developed an indoor badminton court within the premises for recreational use with his associates. Reports indicate that the facility remained locked, with access restricted through a key reportedly kept under his exclusive control.
The matter gained further attention after allegations surfaced that certain municipal officials, including the Municipal Commissioner and Manager, had initially failed to act against the alleged encroachment. A social activist subsequently filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act seeking details about any new construction inside the Ward 22 municipal park. In its reply, the municipality reportedly stated that no new building had been constructed, despite the structure being physically present at the site.
As public scrutiny intensified, the councillor allegedly painted the words “Library Coming Soon” on the building, reportedly to portray the structure as a future public facility. However, Thuraiyur Municipal Commissioner Kannan clarified that the municipality had not granted permission for the construction of any building within the park. He further stated that a police complaint had been filed seeking legal action against those responsible for the unauthorized construction.
Social activists have demanded strict action against both the councillor and any officials who may have facilitated or ignored the alleged encroachment of government-owned land. They argue that public parks are intended exclusively for community use and that any unauthorized occupation undermines public trust and violates civic norms.
The dmk councillor issue has since become a significant local governance matter, highlighting concerns over accountability, transparency and the protection of public assets. The future of the disputed structure and the restoration of the municipal park will depend on the outcome of the ongoing police investigation and any legal or administrative action initiated by the municipal authorities.
