Bloody stir by farmer against sewage plant sparks tension

 Sources said that the Tiruchy City Corporation has decided to establish a sewage treatment plant at Keezhkalkandarkottai in which the sewage from as many as 17 wards would be treated. However, residents and farmers of KK Kottai have been opposing the move ever since the plan was decided by the civic body. Since their previous protests failed to convince the officials, farmers from the area assembled in front of the district collectorate premises on Monday and staged a sit-in protest.

 They said that around 650 acres of cultivable lands located in and around the identified spot would be affected. Farmers were cultivating paddy, black gram and vegetables in those lands and the sewage treatment unit would be a serious to the soil and the environment as well.

 Farmers demanded the district collector to instruct the civic body to drop the plan. They also brought the crops and displayed them during the protest. Similarly, they demanded to ensure free power supply for farm activities, besides a profitable price for their produces.

 They also demanded a pension of Rs 5000 to each farmer who have crossed 60 years and linking of Ariyaru and Upparu.

 Even as the protest was on, Ravi (48), a farmer from KK Kottai, pulled out a knife and started to injuring himself. He raised slogans in support of their demands. Soon, the police on duty snatched the knife and rushed him to the GH.

 Since they blocked the main road in front of the collectorate, traffic was disrupted for a while and the police who were on duty removed them from the spot after a heated argument.

 Later, the DRO T Palanikumar held talks with the agitating farmers. Following an assurance from the DRO, the protesting farmers dispersed from the spot.