Farmers' association coordinator Pandian suspects state government's involvement in police action against farmers' tractor rally in Coimbatore and Pollachi on August 15, violating court order.
Coimbatore: The Apolitical United Farmers Association (SKP-NP) held a protest near the Red Cross Society in Coimbatore today, condemning the police inspectors' refusal to grant permission for farmers' tractor rallies in Karumadai and Pollachi, and the subsequent harassment of farmers.
A.S. Babu, the state joint coordinator of the association, presided over the protest. P.R. Pandian, the state coordinator, was present and addressed the gathering. Participating farmers raised slogans against the police action.
Speaking to reporters, P.R. Pandian said, "Tractor rallies are being conducted peacefully with police protection in many parts of Tamil Nadu. However, in Coimbatore district, police inspectors Rajasekar and Venkatesh attacked farmers who came in tractors for the rally in Karumadai and Pollachi areas. They also seized the vehicles. Female farmers were detained in a private marriage hall until 7:30 PM and subjected to torture. Many were injured."
Pandian pointed out that the court had ordered on August 14 that permission should be granted for vehicle rallies. He stated, "The incidents in Karumadai and Pollachi are not only illegal but also contemptuous of the court order. The two police inspectors have acted in violation of this order. Overall, there is a fear and suspicion that the DMK government is using the police to take revenge on Tamil Nadu farmers."
He demanded that the Tamil Nadu government take appropriate action against the erring police inspectors and those who carried out the attacks. "If not, farmers from Delhi will participate in the association meeting to be held in Trichy on August 27. Depending on the resolutions passed after discussions in the meeting, we warn that we will intensify the next phase of protests," Pandian concluded.