Ryots protest as June 12 turns out to be ‘dry day’ this year too

Members of the Tamizhaga Puratchikara Vivasayigal Sangam, led by its coordinator Pugazhendhi, had announced a protest by sowing paddy seeds in the Cauvery riverbed at Kallanai regulator (Grand Anaicut) on Tuesday since the government had announced that water would not be released on June 12, the usual date of release for the Kuruvai season. Following this, a heavy police posse was deployed on the banks of Kallanai. 

Despite this, the farmers got down into the river and raised slogans demanding the release of water. They pointed out this was the seventh consecutive year in which Kuruvai cultivation could not be taken up due to non-release of water. 

“The government should waive all farm loans as it was not able to provide water for irrigation for the last seven years,” Pugazhendhi said.  The farmers also raised slogans demanding that the Cauvery delta districts be declared as ‘protected agriculture zone’. After a while, the police arrested 26 protesting farmers. 

In Kumbakonam, members of the Cauvery Irrigation Sharecropping Farmers’ Association staged a protest in the riverbed holding candles. They prayed for rains in the catchment areas of Cauvery and flow of water to Tamil Nadu during the season for cultivation and a bountiful crop. 

In Nagapattinam, the farmers staged a protest at Meenambanallur and lit candles at the irrigation canal. They observed silence.