Mock funeral staged in Tiruchy

The protesters led by P Viswanathan, state president of the Tank and River Ayacutdars Welfare Association, condemned the BJP government for failing to meet the farmers protesting in New Delhi seeking revised drought compensation for Tamil Nadu and complete waiver of all loans obtained by farming community. 

“Canal-based irrigation in 12 districts in TN, that depended on water from Cauvery, remains a dream due to the delay in constituting the Cauvery Management Board (CMB). Now even the monsoon is failing us. In this situation, instead of protecting the farming community facing huge loss, the BJP government at the Centre has opted to remain a mute spectator.” Viswanathan said. 

Demanding both the state and central governments to waive the loans of all farmers, irrespective of the amount of their land affected by drought, the association staged a mock funeral and submitted a petition reiterating their demands. About 50 farmers, sporting Naamam over their body, staged a sloganeering agitation as well. 

Meanwhile, in Pudukkottai, farmers staged a novel protest charging that both the central and state governments have left them in dire straits. 

Over 200 traders at Oddanchatram vegetable market in Madurai lowered shutters on Thursday, to show support for farmers. The Oddanchatram vegetable market, one of the largest in the state, is the epicentre for traders of southern districts. Thousands of farmers and traders visit the market every day to sell their produce and procure vegetables. Sources claimed that the shutdown would result in Rs 4 crore loss to the traders.