The All India Forward Bloc (Santhanam Faction) organised a protest in front of the Collectorate here on Monday to demand that the government declare southern districts drought-hit and provide relief to aggrieved farmers on a war footing.
The protestors, carrying dried paddy, raised slogans against the State government and demanded compensation to farmers in the Mullaperiyar region and Vaigai Basin in accordance to that of the Cauvery delta farmers.
All India Forward Bloc’s president and former M.L.A, L. Santhanam, who led the protest, said that the government should release funds immediately and also complete the 58 Village Canal Scheme.
Other demands included naming the Madurai airport after freedom fighter Muthuramalinga Thevar and to convert the house in Tirunagar where he died into a memorial.
The protestors then submitted a memorandum to the District Collector.
