Contempt Allegations Spark Siege at Sivaganga Water Resources Office

Judicial Mandates Ignored in Irrigation Dispute

A group of residents from Maranthai village staged a protest at the Water Resources Department (WRD) office in Sivaganga on July 28, 2026. The demonstration targeted officials for their refusal to execute a Madras High Court order regarding water distribution. The tension stems from a blocked canal that is supposed to supply the Maranthai tank, a vital resource for over 150 local families.

The Logistics of Water Flow

The agricultural survival of 150 acres across Maranthai, North Maranthai, and Kodikrai depends on this specific WRD infrastructure. Current system configurations require the Thalirthalai tank to reach full capacity before surplus water can reach the Maranthai tank. Because of this sequence, the Maranthai tank frequently remains dry. Frustrated by the lack of administrative response to their requests for canal clearance, the villagers sought relief through the legal system.

Court Deadlines and Failed Execution

The legal history of the case includes two significant judicial interventions:

• Initial Case: The High Court directed the WRD to clear the blockage to ensure a smooth water flow.
• Contempt Filing: After officials ignored the first ruling, a second legal action resulted in a firm deadline to open the canal by July 30.

Although officials made a visible attempt to open the canal a few days prior to the protest, residents claim the work was insufficient and failed to restore proper flow. During the recent demonstration, WRD employees were barred from their offices for approximately one hour. The blockade only ended after management promised an immediate technical inspection. Thiruvasagam, a local farmer, warned that the community would resume their protest if the promised permanent solution is not implemented.

Source: The Hindu — Cities