Farmers stage road roko, seek release of water from Kiruthumal river to 4 dists

The protesters, affiliated to Vaigai Kiruthumal River Irrigation Farmers Association, raised slogans against the State Government for not having released water from Kiruthumal river for a long period. VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan and Naam Tamilar Katchi founder Seeman also took part in the agitation, which was led by R Jayachandran, secretary of the association.

The farmers blocked traffic on the Madurai ring road at Viraganoor junction for a brief time. Madurai Superintendent of Police N Manivannan arrived at the scene and held talks with the agitators.

During his speech, Thirumavalavan said the farmers were not only opposing the PWD officials but the State Government too. “Since illegal sand mining is rampant on the Vaigai, there is no flow of water on the Kiruthumal. Natural resources are being looted across all rivers in Tamil Nadu.”

“Soft drink companies are allowed to draw a huge amount of water daily. Since the source of irrigation has depleted in Ramanathapuram, livelihoods of farmers have been affected. They are forced to migrate to other places,” he said, adding that the Central Government is harming the interests of Tamil Nadu by permitting the preparation of DRP for Mekedatu.

Meanwhile, Seeman said rivers would lose their life without sand and if illegal mining goes unabated. “Waterbodies are mostly encroached upon, but no concrete action has been taken to retrieve the encroached portions. Several government buildings and even courts have come up in such encroached portions,” he said.

“While the government is providing freebies to people, it could not give water free of cost. This is because many politicians are getting their due share of commission from proprietors of water purifying companies,” Seeman added.