Farmers in Thoothukudi, Kanniyakumari districts oppose acquisition of agricultural land

Farmers from Udangudi staged a walkout during the grievance redress meeting at the Collectorate on Thursday, opposing the acquisition of agricultural land for forming industrial and propellent park

Farmers from Udangudi staged a walkout during the grievance redress meeting at the Collectorate on Thursday, opposing the acquisition of agricultural land for forming industrial and propellent park.

At the meeting, farmers from Udangudi expressed their concerns stating that most residents of Athiyakurichi village in Thoothukudi depend on agriculture cultivating crops such as drumstick and coconut.

They added that the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. (TIDCO) has announced the acquisition of around 1,100 acres of agricultural land in Aathiyakurichi for establishment of a space park and this would severely affect their livelihood and they were not consulted regarding the decision. Opposing the acquisition, more than 50 farmers walked out of the meeting.

Farmers from Kovilpatti region pointed out that fertilizers hoarded in Kovilpatti were seized and some individuals were arrested. They alleged the involvement of cooperative bank officials in the crime and demanded strict action against them.

They requested compensation for crops such as black gram and green gram, which were damaged by the monsoon rain on December 13 and 14. They urged the authorities to provide compensation for all the cultivated lands, instead of limiting it to 5 acres of land. Other sections of farmers demanded power sprayers for applying pesticides on drumstick and palm trees.

District collector K. Elambahavath said the hoarded fertilizers were seized based on the confidential information and strict action would be taken against all those involved. The Collector instructed the officials to expedite the survey of tanks and evict encroachments from them. He clarified that the animals causing damage to crops were not wild boars and farmers had the right to drive them away.

Similarly, in Kanniyakumari district, during grievance redress meeting led by District Collector R. Alagumeena, farmers highlighted the issue of conversion of agricultural land into residential plots and illegal cultivation of lotus in waterbodies of the district.