Farmers Movement Archive

Mixed response to Bharat bandh in TN

Trichy/Madurai: The dusk-to-dawn Bharat bandh called by farmers’ unions opposing the Centre’s three farm laws evoked poor response from the public in Tamil Nadu except for the agrarian pockets where farmers organised protests. Though the bandh call was supported by DMK, the Left parties and the Congress, normalcy was not affected in TN except in the delta districts. The Tamil Nadu state transport corporation (TNSTC) buses plied as usual while private buses were off roads in certain places during the day. Schools and government offices too functioned while autos and taxis were plying as usual across the state.There were multiple protests in Trichy, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur districts, the rice bowl of the state.In Trichy, farmers’ association leader P Ayyakannu, along with scores of farmers attempted a rail roko but were removed from the tracks while another group of farmers protested at Trichy Fort station. In the neighbouring delta districts, shops in several places were shut till evening. State secretaries of the CPI and CPM, R Mutharasan and K Balakrishnan led the protests in the Cauvery delta districts. Members of trade unions affiliated to DMK too participated. Tamilaga Cauvery Vivasayigal Sangam president P R Pandian attempted to block trains at Thanjavur along with farmers but was stopped by police.Protests were held in 10 spots including Sikkal, Melavanjur Roundabout, Velankanni Arch, Keelaiyur, Valuvalam, Thittacheri in Nagapattinam. Headed by MLA Nagai Mali, hundreds of protesters stage demonstration. Hundreds of shops in Nagapattinam remained shut.Road roko was held in Kuthalam, Sembanarkoil, Poraiyar, Arasur, Sirkazhi in Mayiladuthurai district. Traders shut their shops in Mayiladuthurai, Athur and Thirukadaiyur.In Tiruvarur, protests were held in 100 spots. DMK district secretary and MLA Poondi Kalaivanan headed a rail roko at Needamangalam railway station.In Madurai, around 600 people, including Madurai MP Su Venkatesan were detained by the police for protesting against the farm laws as part of the bandh at various places. Police arrested hundreds of opposition party cadres along with farmers and farmers’ leaders in the delta districts including Trichy, while they attempted to stage rail and road roko opposing the farm laws.Members of various political parties, including the CPM, CPI, and other left outfits, SDPI, VCK, trade unions and farmers’ associations staged protests. Madurai MP Su Venkatesan took part in the protests at Madurai railway junction. Processions were taken out at various places in Thirumangalam, Usilampatti, and Thirupparankundram.

The Times of India

2021-09-29

Trichy