In a crackdown launched by authorities, a ban has been enforced on unauthorised extraction of groundwater at seven locations in Servaikaranmadam village in Tuticorin taluk. Sub-Divisional Magistrate and Tuticorin Sub-Collector S. Gopala Sundara Raj imposed the ban order on Wednesday under Section 133 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.P.C) Responding to complaints from the local people and farmers that large-scale extraction, transportation, sale and commercial exploitation of groundwater caused depletion of water table in the area and the people were deprived of water, the action was initiated. Tuticorin District Tamirabarani Nathineer Padhukaapu Peravai and Tamirabarani Paasana Vivasayigal Padhukaapu Porattakulu had earlier submitted petitions to the district administration against illegal extraction and sale of groundwater. It seriously affected agriculture in the area, they had said.