Vaiko, farmers held for staging rail roko

Chennai

The agitation was called by the Federation of Farmers Associations in the wake of spate of suicide by farmers following harassment by banks, which had lended loan to them, and to demand waiver of all the farm loans.

Various political parties, including the DMK, DMDK, People’s Welfare Front, that included the MDMK, VCK and the two Left Parties, and the PMK have pledged their support to the agitation.   

Scores of farmers, who attempted to block the Mannargudi-Mayiladuthurai train in Thanjavur district were arrested. At Kovilpatti in the southern Tuticorin District, Mr Vaiko, who participated in the stir, was arrested.

He said tractors of farmers should not be impounded for non-payment of dues and financial institutions should stop harassing them. He entered into an argument with police officials before being arrested. The protestors also shouted slogans condemning the Centre for not constituting the Cauvery Management Board and the Cauvery Regulation Committee.