Date:23/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/23/stories/2008122359000300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore

Farmers plan demonstration

Staff Reporter

Coimbatore: The Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangham has planned to stage a demonstration against man-animal conflict in the last week of December.

A resolution to this effect was adopted at the meeting of the sangham held here recently which was presided by president of the Sangham M.R. Sivasamy.

Crop raid

In a statement, Mr. Sivasamy said that pachyderms in search of food and water used to stray into human habitations and indulge in crop raid.

The damage to crops had resulted in agricultural production coming down by nearly 30 per cent.

The other demands include quantum of compensation to be fixed at Rs. 50,000 an acre for crop damage by pachyderms, Rs. 25,000 an acre for damage to crops such as vegetable, cereals and grams.

The compensation should be given to the farmers within 15 days of the incident. In the event of loss of life owing to man-animal conflict, the compensation should be Rs 3 lakh.