Date:12/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/12/stories/2008121254120500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Farmers arrested in delta districts

Special Correspondent

Cadres of AIADMK, CPI, CPI (M) and MDMK took part

SEEKING HIGHER COMPENSATION: Cadres of CPI, CPI(M), AIADMK, and MDMK staging a protest in support of farmers near Nagore on Thursday.

CHENNAI: Thousands of farmers were arrested in Cauvery delta districts on Thursday, for staging road roko, demanding adequate flood relief for the loss they had suffered due to recent cyclone and heavy rains in the State.

Volunteers belonging to the Communist Party of India, All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Communist Party of India (Marxist), and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, participated in the agitation, sponsored by the Tamil Nadu Vivasaigal Sangham. Vehicular traffic in many parts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Pudukottai districts were disrupted due to the stir, and police had to forcibly remove agitating volunteers, as they refused to withdraw their stir. The arrested included V. Sivapunniam, P. Padmavathy and K. Ulaganathan, MLAs, and office-bearers of the CPI.

V. Duraimanickam, general secretary of the sangham, said that submerge of crops would have been avoided if the government had desilted canals and removed encroachments in waterways in the delta districts. Though the government sanctioned relief for the affected farmers, it was a pittance compared to the loss incurred by the farmers. He wanted the government to sanction more relief to the farmers.