People's Democracy

Thousands Of Framers Block Roads Demanding Flood Relief

Ganesh

RESPONDING to the call given by the farmers� associations affiliated to CPI(M) and CPI, thousands of farmers have held picketings in many parts of the flood affected districts in Tamilnadu.

For the last one month, the unprecedented rain had played havoc in the lives of people of almost all the coastal districts. This, along with the cyclonic effect has extensively damaged the crops in many areas. The central team has just come and started assessing the damage caused by the floods. The demand by the CPI(M) and the call for picketing in five districts by the farmers had put pressure on central and state governments in providing relief to the farmers.

The call for the picketing in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur and Pudukkottai evoked good response from the farmers. In these districts, lakhs of families have been displaced and most of them are staying in relief camps. Around ten lakh people have lost their belongings.

Many people have died due to the collapsing of walls, snake bites, electric shock, accidents and suicides in the flood affected areas. Since the rain did not stop, farmers' associations had decided to put forth their demands by picketing the roads in five districts. The CPI(M) and CPI have extended their full support to the farmers' agitation.

The AIADMK and MDMK also extended support to the demands. The general secretary of AIADMK J Jayalalitha and the general secretary of MDMK, Vaiko, have issued statements in support of the agitation. Jayalalitha had said in her statement that the AIADMK would take part in the picketing.

The picketing was held in more than 60 centres in five districts. The farmers picketed in 6 centres in Tiruvarar, 33 centres in Thanjavur, 6 centres in Cuddalore, 9 centres in Pudukkottai and in Nagapattinam district it was held in 12 centres. The picketing programme was led by the leaders of farmers� associations and agricultural labourers� associations. They included K Balakrishnan, G Veerayyan, G Palanisamy, R Mutharasan and others. The cadres of CPI(M), CPI , AIADMK and MDMK have participated in the picketing along with the farmers.

Photo : Thousands took part in picketing programme at Tiruvarur. The agitation was led by the General Secretary of Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam,  K.Balakrishnan.