‘Hanging stir’ against hydrocarbon project

Condemning the proposed hydrocarbon extraction project in the State, farmers in Tiruvarur district on Wednesday staged a protest by covering their mouths with black cloth. They also enacted a suicide act by tying a rope around their necks.

Farmers’ associations across the State have been staging various protests ever since the Centre gave clearance to ONGC and other corporate companies for the extraction of hydrocarbon in Tamil Nadu. The ryots, who have been conducting urgent meetings, resolved to insist the State government to withdraw the order. Farmers from Mannargudi then formed a movement against the extraction project in which the ryots from Ukkadai, Kamalapuram, Panaiyur, Keezha Marudhur and Mela Mardhur had participated.

On Wednesday, the farmers decided to stage a protest at the irrigation canal in Tiruvarur. As a result, members from various political parties and farmers’ associations gathered at a paddy field.

The agitating members then blocked their mouths with black cloth and protested. Among them, five farmers enacted a suicide, for which a rope was tied around their necks. They also raised slogans against the Centre as well as the State government, demanding the withdrawal of the sanction order for extraction. Agitating farmers claimed that the fertile lands would turn useless if the permission was granted for the project. Tamil Nadu Farmers Association president Rajendran presided.

The protesters also stated that both the Centre and the State had been ignoring the interest of the farmers who have been protesting for years, with the government having no answer and lending any support as well. They also feared that the farmers are already undergoing untold misery to meet their daily expenses. If such situation prevailed, the entire farming community would find no other go but to commit suicide, they said.