The members of Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam (non-political) sold vegetables and fruits at a throwaway price at the Collectorate gate on Monday, in protest against the denial of permission to nine farmers to sell their produce inside the R.S. Puram Uzhavar Sandhai (Farmers’ shandy) from the third week of April.
Presiding over the agitation, Su. Palanisamy, president of the Sangam, said that despite their petitions to the District Collector on April 21 and 23 to revoke suspension of the nine farmers by the Shandy administration, nothing concrete happened. The district administration has ordered an inquiry into the problems inside the R.S. Puram farmers’ shandy. Though the inquiry is under way, the affected farmers are not allowed to sell their produce inside the shandy. The Sangam has urged the administration to give permission to sell their produce at the Collectorate gate, until they are allowed inside the shandy.
‘Constitute committee’
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) cadre, led by P.R. Natarajan, former MP, staged a demonstration urging the district administration to constitute a committee headed by the District Collector to monitor admissions under RTE Act in private schools.
Arrested
As many as 47 members of All India Students Federation (AISF), including 10 women, were arrested when they laid siege to the Collectorate to press their charter of demands. Their demands included steps against illegal sand mining, immediate withdrawal of hydrocarbon and methane extraction projects, and formation of Cauvery Management Board. The agitation was led by V. Vasanthakumar, District Secretary.
Petition submitted
People affected by the land acquisition for airport expansion project, under the banner People’s Social Welfare Committee, submitted a petition to the District Collector at the weekly grievances redress meeting urging to review the price fixed for agriculture and residential lands.
Collector’s intervention sought
A couple, who live on a platform near the Gandhipuram bus stand and seek alms for a living, came to the Collectorate on Monday with a kerosene bottle, seeking the Collector’s intervention in getting back their 9-month-old daughter.
According to the couple, Maruthachalam (38) and Chitra (28), the child was taken away by the police, while she was sitting along with her parents, a few days ago. The child was reportedly handed over to a children’s home. After the parents’ effort to get back the child turned futile, they came to the Collectorate with kerosene to immolate themselves. The police seized the kerosene bottle and took them to police station for inquiry.
