Leaders pay homage to Keezhvenmani victims

Leaders and the cadre of the the Left parties observing the anniversary of Keezhvenmani massacre. Photo:B.Velankanni Raj

Leaders on Saturday paid homage to 44 Dalits of Keezhvenmani who were burnt to death on December 25, 1968, after a protracted agitation for higher wages for agricultural labour.

G. Ramakrishnan, State Secretary, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Soundarajan, State president, CITU, were among those who paid homage to the victims. People visited the pillar and ‘stupa' erected in memory of the women, children and men killed.

26 p.c. rise in onion exports

Speaking on the sidelines of the 42nd anniversary of the carnage, Mr. Ramakrishnan said there had been a 26 per cent rise in onion exports since September and the Centre was slumbering over it till it went uncontainable.

Evoking the ‘undying spirit' of the Dalits killed in the incident in the context of displacement caused by the current floods in the district, Mr. Ramakrishnan called for a “master plan' to prevent such disasters.

He reiterated the party's oft-stated demand for a hike in the compensation to Rs.15,000 per acre and to include the dilapidated colony houses under the Kalaignar's Housing Scheme.