Farmers Movement Archive

Unfazed by threats, farmers in state to take out tractor rallies

Trichy: The All India Farmers’ Struggle Coordination Committee, farmers and labour unions from delta districts in the central region including Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvaur and Trichy, have decided to take out tractor rally on Republic Day on Tuesday. Various organisations and political parties in the southern districts will also take out the rally to extend their support to protesting farmers in Delhi. SP Deshmukh Shekhar Sanjay has warned of stern action against farmers holding tractor rally in Thanjavur on the Republic Day, while district police units in the southern districts have warned that vehicles will be seized and cases will be registered against political parties and those taking part in the tractor rally. Police have warned seizure of tractors for agricultural purposes and two-wheelers taking part in the protest – for which permission has been denied – and that cases will also be registered under sections 177 read with 179 and 207 of the Motor Vehicles Act. “Despite the warning, we are firm to hold the protest as planned,” farmers said. It has been planned to assemble at the collector offices or district headquarters or at a prominent locations where they will stage a protest to show their solidarity with the protesting farmers in Delhi and also demand to withdraw the three farm laws immediately. In Trichy, the rally is going to commence from 14 locations. Headed by the district coordinator of the committee and district secretary of Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam affiliated to CPI Ayilai Sivasuriyan, the tractor rally will start from MGR statue near Court and will conclude near EVR Periyar statue at Central bus stand. Similar protests will be held in Thiruverumbur, Anthanallur and Manikandam unions. The protesters from Lalgudi, Pullambadi and Mannachanallur blocks have planned to congregate at a toll plaza located on Trichy-Chennai highways near Samayapuram. In Thanjavur, the coordination committee has planned to take out the rally from Melavastha Savadi near New Bus stand and it will conclude at Tholgappiyar square, district coordinator of the committee NV Kannan said. “We heard that police officials are threatening the tractor drivers not to participate in the rally organised by the committee. This is unfair. Despite police threat, we are firm to hold the rally as decided earlier," Kannan told TOI.

The Times of India

2021-01-26

Trichy