Farmers in Tamil Nadu's Trichy city launched a significant protest on Tuesday, resorting to a hunger strike to highlight their pressing demands. The demonstration was organized by members of the National South Indian Rivers Interlinking Farmers' Association.
Core Demands of the Protesting Farmers
The farmers, under the leadership of P Ayyakannu, gathered at Annamalai Nagar with a clear set of demands. Their primary request was for financial relief due to recent agricultural losses. They sought compensation of ₹30,000 per acre for crops that were damaged. Alongside this, the protesters called for a complete waiver of farm loans to alleviate their debt burden.
Their charter of demands also included appeals for systemic improvements in agricultural support. They asked for better procurement facilities and a higher Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce to ensure sustainable income. Furthermore, the farmers strongly condemned the imprisonment of P R Pandian, the general secretary of the Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers Association. They demanded his immediate and unconditional release from prison.
Government Response and Temporary Resolution
School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi met with the agitating farmers to address the situation. The minister provided a crucial update, stating that official assessments of the paddy crop damage are currently underway. He gave an assurance that once this evaluation process is completed, the eligible farmers would receive their due compensation.
Regarding the other demands, Minister Poyyamozhi promised to escalate the matters to higher authorities. He confirmed that the remaining issues, including the loan waiver and MSP revision, would be taken up with the Chief Minister for further consideration. Following this direct dialogue and the minister's assurances, the protesting farmers decided to de-escalate their action. They agreed to suspend their hunger strike temporarily, awaiting concrete action from the government on the promises made.
Looking Ahead: Awaiting Action
The protest in Trichy underscores the persistent financial and institutional challenges faced by the agricultural community in the region. While the temporary suspension of the hunger strike brings a pause to the immediate agitation, the focus now shifts to the government's follow-through. The farming community is watching closely for the completion of the damage assessment and the subsequent disbursement of compensation, as well as progress on their broader demands for debt relief and improved price mechanisms.
