Tiruchirapalli: A group of sugarcane farmers from Thirumandankudi in Thanjavur district attempted to stage a black flag protest during Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s visit to the district on Monday, reported The Hindu.
The farmers, who had gathered near the New Bus Stand on the Thanjavur-Tiruchi Road, tried to intercept the Chief Minister’s convoy by waving black cloths as it approached the area. However, police quickly intervened and took them into custody. All 12 farmers, hailing from Thirumandankudi and surrounding areas, were released later in the evening.
The protesting farmers are associated with the now-defunct private sugar mill at Thirumandankudi. They have been holding a relay hunger strike for over two years, pressing for long-pending demands. These include payment of sugarcane dues along with interest, and action to cancel bank loans that were allegedly taken in their names without consent by the previous mill management, reportedly with the involvement of certain bank officials.
