Thanjavur: The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has thrown its support behind sugarcane cultivators linked to the erstwhile private sugar mill at Thirumandankudi in Thanjavur district, who have been holding a relay demonstration for over 800 days, reports The Hindu.
TVK Thanjavur Central district secretary Saravanan, after visiting the protesting farmers on Wednesday, assured them of the party’s solidarity. He announced that the TVK would take the farmers’ issues to the public by organizing demonstrations across the delta region.
The protesting sugarcane cultivators are demanding the closure or waiver of bank loans taken in their names by the former private sugar mill management in collusion with bank officials. They are also seeking the withdrawal of cases filed against them and others during their prolonged protest.
In a related development, a group of farmers, led by P. Ayyakannu, State president of the Desiya Thennindhiya Nadhigal Inaippu Vivasayigal Sangam, and P.R. Pandian, president of the Coordination Committee of All Farmers Associations of Tamil Nadu, observed a fast in Thanjavur. Their protest was in solidarity with farmers’ leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a fast-unto-death demonstration at the Khanauri border of New Delhi-Punjab.
Speaking to the media, Ayyakannu and Pandian urged the Tamil Nadu government to press the Central government to fully implement the Supreme Court’s directions regarding the demands of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha.
The ongoing protests highlight the deepening agrarian crisis and the growing unity among farmers’ groups in their fight for justice and fair treatment.
