Black flag protest to be staged during PM's TN visit

CPI(M)-affiliated farmers' association, Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, today announced they would stage a black flag protest against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his Tamil Nadu visit over the proposed National Water Policy.

The association's state general secretary P Shanmugam said the policy envisages "ceding" the country's water resources to national and international companies which would lead to its monetisation, affecting mainly farmers.

The protest will be held demanding withdrawal of the proposal. It will be held at Thirumayam in Pudukottai district on August 2 during the Prime Minister's official visit there, Shanmugam said in a statement.