Date:10/06/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/06/10/stories/2005061006210300.htm

Kerala - Alappuzha

Farmers plan symbolic funeral

Staff Reporter

Reluctance of Civil Supplies Corporation to buy paddy

ALAPPUZHA: A meeting of office-bearers of farmers' cooperative societies from Kottayam and Alappuzha districts engaged in paddy procurement was held at Mampuzhakkary on Thursday. The meeting decided to organise a protest at Mampuzhakkary at 10 a.m. on July 11 `against the reluctance of the State Civil Supplies Corporation to buy the paddy procured by various societies.'

The convener of the action council of societies Fr. Thomas Peelianikkal in a statement here said the corporation had refused to buy paddy procured by 75 societies in Kottayam and Alappuzha districts. He said the farmers who participate in the protest would hold a symbolic funeral procession to portray the death of the hopes of paddy farmers of Kuttanad.

The farmers will take an oath to protect paddy cultivation at all costs, Fr. Peelianikkal said. Leaders of various farmers' organisations will speak at the meeting. Fr. Peelianikkal requested the help of various political parties in the State in the farmers' struggle.