Hydrocarbon stir to resume from July 9

The meeting chaired by P Shanmugam, State general secretary, Tamil Nadu Farmers Association, discussed a series of issues that affect farmers’ livelihood. The participants also raised concerns about the fate of agriculture in the Cauvery delta-which is considered to be the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu.

The association leaders, while accusing both the Central and State governments of not addressing the issues raised by the ryots, said the Centre has allowed multi-national companies and the ONGC to extract hydrocarbon, methane and coal from the Cauvery delta, thereby affecting the quality of land as well as drying up ground water resources. “Once these projects are implemented, at least one crore people from the Cauvery delta would be affected,” the participants rued.

The meeting hence resolved to withdraw the proposed auction for the extraction of hydrocarbon and methane, and pass a resolution in the assembly, with the same being sent to the Centre also immediately.

Meanwhile, the movement members decided to stage a series of protests at the headquarters of Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Pudukkottai, Cuddalore, Villupuram, and Puducherry on July 9 in which a large section of the public, farmers and political party members are expected to participate. Awareness rallies would also be conducted for a week.

Condemning the Central and State governments for not releasing water for Kuruvai cultivation for the eighth consecutive year, the movement would also hold campaign with regard to the issue across the State. The members would also take part in the human chain protest scheduled on June 23 from Marakkanam to Ramanathapuram against hydrocarbon extraction, sources said.