The Kuttanad Karshaka Samrakshana Samiti, a united forum of farmers, has called a farm hartal in Kuttanad on Saturday. The organisation has been holding a daytime satyagraha at Ramankary since June 26. The hartal coincides with the conclusion of the six-day struggle.
The farmers will take out a march around noon from the PHD grounds on MC Road, wearing traditional farmers’ caps and holding begging bowls, symbolic of their impoverished condition.
A public meeting will be held in the forenoon, prior to the march. It will be inaugurated by Kodikkunnil Suresh, MP. Alappuzha district BJP president K. Soman will preside over the meeting.
The main demand of the organisation is waiving of agricultural loans, with interest. Kuttanad Vikasana Samiti leader Thomas Peelianikkal is the chairman of the new organisation. Its other demands include sanction of non-farm loans to farmers at 4% interest, declaration of Kuttanad as an agricultural zone of national importance, and setting up of an expert panel to study the problems faced by farmers.
The new farmers’ forum consists of organisations such as the Kuttanad Vikasana Samiti, Karshaka Sanghom, Harithageetham, and Panchami. It was formed recently with a view to launching a united struggle to protect farming in Kuttanad which has been facing a variety of problems.
