Tirupur: A public meeting was held in Palladam on behalf of the Federation of Agricultural Unions condemning the police for speaking ill about farmers who protested against the construction of high-tension power towers on agricultural lands.
Tirupur: A public meeting was held in Palladam on behalf of the Federation of Agricultural Unions condemning the police for speaking ill about farmers who protested against the construction of high-tension power towers on agricultural lands.
The Power Grid Company of the Central Government and TANGEDCO had planned to implement high-tension power towers in Tamil Nadu's west and northern districts like Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode, Namakkal, Karur, Dindigul, Salem, Trichy, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Vellore and Villupuram.
Following this decision, agitated farmers have been carrying out protests in various phases for the past three years, urging the Central Government to provide electricity in cables along roadsides instead of high-tension power towers in agricultural lands. Last December, the protesters engaged in a series of protests and hunger strikes in eight places in 13 districts.
Meanwhile, a land survey was carried out on July 23 at Vavipalayam village near Palladam, Tirupur. The farmers who protested against it got into a heated argument with officials who were involved in the land survey process. Thereafter, the protesters laid siege to the roads. Gunasekaran, the Assistant Superintendent of Police who arrived at the spot to negotiate with the protesters spoke ill about the farmers regarding the free electricity that was being provided to them. Condemning Gunasekaran's statement, the farmers staged a demonstration in Vavipalayam, Palladam.
Over 150 people, including affected farmers and the Farmers' Association were present at the meeting. Coimbatore MP P R Natarajan and Tirupur MP Subbarayan took part in the protest. After the meeting, it was decided to petition the Superintendent of Police demanding action against the Assistant SP for speaking disrespectfully to the farmers.
The Power Grid Company of the Central Government and TANGEDCO had planned to implement high-tension power towers in Tamil Nadu's west and northern districts like Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode, Namakkal, Karur, Dindigul, Salem, Trichy, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Vellore and Villupuram.
Following this decision, agitated farmers have been carrying out protests in various phases for the past three years, urging the Central Government to provide electricity in cables along roadsides instead of high-tension power towers in agricultural lands. Last December, the protesters engaged in a series of protests and hunger strikes in eight places in 13 districts.
Meanwhile, a land survey was carried out on July 23 at Vavipalayam village near Palladam, Tirupur. The farmers who protested against it got into a heated argument with officials who were involved in the land survey process. Thereafter, the protesters laid siege to the roads. Gunasekaran, the Assistant Superintendent of Police who arrived at the spot to negotiate with the protesters spoke ill about the farmers regarding the free electricity that was being provided to them. Condemning Gunasekaran's statement, the farmers staged a demonstration in Vavipalayam, Palladam.
Over 150 people, including affected farmers and the Farmers' Association were present at the meeting. Coimbatore MP P R Natarajan and Tirupur MP Subbarayan took part in the protest. After the meeting, it was decided to petition the Superintendent of Police demanding action against the Assistant SP for speaking disrespectfully to the farmers.