Tiruchy (Tamil Nadu): Sugarcane farmers from Thanjavur staged a protest on Wednesday by waving black flags against Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, accusing the government of failing to ensure payment of long-pending dues by the Thiru Arooran sugar factory, reports DT Next.
The protest took place while he was travelling to Kumbakonam to attend an Indian Union Muslim League conference. The farmers, who have been raising their demands since November 30, 2022, called on the Chief Minister to direct the Tirumandangudi-based Thiru Arooran sugar mill to clear their unpaid dues along with interest.
As farmers attempted to wave black flags during the Chief Minister’s visit, police intervened and detained those involved in the protest.
Reacting to the police action, P.R. Pandian, president of the Coordination Committee of All Farmers Associations, said the farmers had been fighting for their rights for the past three years. He said the sugar mill had taken bank loans in the farmers’ names, leading to pressure from banks and denial of crop loans due to poor credit records.
Pandian urged the Chief Minister to take immediate steps to resolve the farmers’ problems.
