Tension prevailed in front of the Dharmapuri District Milk Cooperative Union (Aavin) on Monday morning, when milk producers from various associations thronged in large numbers to stage a road blockade.
The milk producers are on strike for the past eight days demanding an increase in procurement price for milk. They are demanding a hike of Rs. 8 per litre for buffalo milk and Rs. 5 for cow’s milk. Meanwhile, the protestors were informed by the office-bearers of the Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam about the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to hold talks with the farmers on Tuesday.
State vice-president of Tamizhaga Vivasayigal sangam K.M. Ramagoundar, who addressed the farmers, said the government's invitation for talks was a victory for the week-long strike observed by the farmers. He said the Sangam had temporarily withdrawn the strike till Tuesday.
District-level office-bearers of the sangam V. Velu, A. Ashok Kumar and Konappan, district president of the Womens’ Wing of the Sangam K. Peruma, district secretary X. Irudayaraj, district president M. Dharman, Tamil Nadu Milk Producers’ Association district president R. Shankar, Sangam’s Krishnagiri taluk president G. Periyasamy spoke on the occasion.
Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam State president M.R. Sivasamy, and vice-president K.M. Ramagoundar left for Chennai to participate in the talks with the government.
