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Kattalai farmers hoist black flag, observe fast for water
With no water to irrigate nearly 10,000 acres of land, as water has not been released into the Kattalai canal, Tiruchy farmers resorted to a hunger strike, on Thursday. As a mark of protest, they hoisted black flags atop their houses. “Though cultivation has commenced, crops have begun to wither due to water shortage,” they rued.
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Thiruchirapalli
According to the farmers, 32 sub canals branch out of the old Kattalai canal that originates from Mayanur barrage in Karur.
These irrigate at least 22,000 acres in interior parts of Tiruchy.
Though water was initially released into the Kattalai canal, it was stopped without prior intimation.
Water did not reach Ettarai, Bothavur, Bosanampatti, Puliyur, Dhayanur, Athavathur and Allithurai. Therefore, farmers who had raised nurseries and cultivated samba did not receive water and crops have begun to dry up.
The farmers alleged that the water release was stopped for diverting it to the water bodies in Thanjavur region where the Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanswami is scheduled to visit on November 29.
When the farmers approached the PWD officials, they did not pay heed to their requests.
“Stopping the release of water and diverting it to Thanjavur for the Chief Minister’s arrival is just ridiculing the farmers of our region and we will continue to protest until our demands are fulfilled,” said Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangam District Secretary M P Chinnadurai who led the protest.
Meanwhile, the farmers said, only when waterbodies like Punganur lake, Kallikudi lake, Kothamangalam lake, Panchapur lake get water, we could undertake cultivation.
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