Farmers stir in TN over Mekedatu row

In continuing protests over the Mekedatu row, farmers’ bodies on Saturday held protest demonstrations in five towns in the Cauvery Delta region in Tamil Nadu, urging the Central and state governments to halt any move for new dams by Karnataka.

In the agitation held here, farmers raised slogans against Karnataka and tried to burn photocopies of the neighbouring state’s budget that allocated Rs 25 crore for a new reservoir. Police however prevented them from doing so. “We urge the Central and state governments to take steps to halt Karnataka’s move for any new dams across Cauvery, including at Mekedatu,” District President of the Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangam MP Chinnathurai, who led the protests here said.

Stressing that the protests were being taken forward by apolitical farmers’ outfits, he regretted that despite protests, including a state-wide bandh on March 28, “There has been no perceptible action” by the Centre. “This is about our livelihood. We urge the state and Centre to act and protect our lives,” he added. “If we do not see some action we are contemplating burning the effigies of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in every village in the delta.”

Similar protests were held in Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur and Chidambaram, organised by farmers’ bodies, including Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangam and Cauvery Urimai Meetpu Kuzhu. Ever since Karnataka announced a proposal to build what it called a “balancing reservoir,” farmers in Tamil Nadu have been in a protest mode.

On March 7, farmers of delta districts tried to cross over to Mekedatu site from Denkanikottai in Tamil Nadu as a mark of protest, which was thwarted by the police. On March 28, a bandh supported by opposition parties was held in the state, which evoked a mixed response. The ruling AIADMK did not support or oppose the bandh.