Members of farmers' wings affiliated to Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) were taken into custody when they attempted to picket the office of the Revenue Divisional Officer on Monday urging the Central and the State government to establish the rights of Tamil Nadu with regard to the Cauvery water.
They assembled near the collectorate and raised slogans demanding that the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal Award be notified in the gazette.
They also sought compensation of Rs.10,000 per acre for farmers who had to abandon ‘kuruvai’ cultivation owing to non-availability of water in the Cauvery and Rs.10,000 each for the family of every agricultural labourer.
According priority to agriculture while providing electricity connection and uninterrupted power supply for 12 hours for agricultural operations as announced were their other demands.
Led by Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam (affiliated to the CPI) district secretary Ayilai Sivasuriyan and Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam (affiliated to the CPI(M)) district secretary C. Masilamani, the members attempted to picket the Tiruchi RDO office. They were arrested and later let off.
