Ariyalur: A 50-year-old farmer in Elangaicherry village in Sendurai taluk created a flutter by climbing atop a 200 foot high cell phone tower pressing a charter of demands which included an appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately meet the farmers of Tamil Nadu who have embarked on agitation in New Delhi and write off all the crop loans.
After one and half hour struggle, police made the farmer climb down that too after holding talks with him over mobile phone, assuring that steps would be taken to fulfill his demands.
Veerapandian, farmer and resident of Elangaicherry village, further demanded the immediate closure of all the cement factories responsible for the depletion of ground water table in Ariyalur district and authorities should take measures to set right the scarcity of drinking water in Elangaicherry village.
Veerapandian also threatened to commit suicide by jumping off the cellular tower if his demands were not fulfilled.
On being informed, police and fire and rescue service personnel rushed there and persuaded the farmer to climb down but to no avail.
Inspector Karunanidhi of Sendurai police station, held talks with Veerapandian over mobile phone and persuaded him to climb down, assuring that steps would be taken to fulfill his demands.
Following which, all the public and police personnel in Elangicherry village heaved a sigh of relief.