As many as 230 cadres, including 17 women, of the People’s Welfare Front (PWF) courted arrest at Kovilpatti while staging a rail roko, condemning the Central and State governments for “having failed to protect the interests of farmers,” on Tuesday.
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary and PWF coordinator Vaiko, who led the agitation, said that the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK)– PWF combine would win the upcoming polls and ruled out the possibility of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s victory as “the State government is not interested in the welfare of farmers”.
He said once the DMDK-PWF combine assumed power, the government would write off loans obtained by farmers. Three farmers, who could not repay farm loans, were humiliated and they committed suicide in the State over the last one month after their tractors were seized by the banks.
He said Chief Minister Jayalalithaa should take responsibility for farmers’ suicides. In Tamil Nadu, 650 farmers had committed suicide so far, he said.
Forty eight farmers’ associations had sought support from the DMDK-PWF combine for holding rail roko across the State to highlight their demands. The Centre was keen on launching methane gas project and neutrino observatory in Tamil Nadu against the wishes of farmers, but the MDMK relentlessly protested against these projects, he said.
While police officials asked Mr. Vaiko and the agitators not to cause inconvenience to the public, the PWF leader lambasted the police saying that the agitation was being organised peacefully. Superintendent of Police Ashwin M. Kotnis said that the departure of Nagercoil– Kacheguda Weekly Express was delayed by one and a half hours at Kovilpatti due to the agitation. While barricades were put up at the front entrance of Kovilpatti railway station, Mr. Vaiko entered through the rear entrance. The arrested persons were released later, he said.
