By TC News Desk
Agartala, January 17: Several farmers’ organizations, including the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), the All India Agricultural Workers Union (AIAWU), and the Gana Mukti Parishad (GMP), held a rally and a deputation in Agartala city on Wednesday, seeking government assistance for the farmers who have lost their crops due to the recent cyclone.
The rally, which was attended by hundreds of farmers and workers, started from the Paradise Choumuhni in the capital and ended at the Sadar Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s office. The protesters raised slogans and placards against the state and central governments for their alleged apathy and negligence.
Pabitra Kar, the president of the state committee of the AIKS, who led the deputation, said that the farmers have suffered huge losses due to the severe cyclone that hit the state in December last year. He said that the paddy and vegetable crops in about eight districts of the state were severely damaged by the storm.
He said that the farmers’ groups had submitted deputations to the Sub-Divisional Magistrates and the District Magistrates of the affected areas, as well as to the State Minister of Agriculture and the Director of the Agriculture Department, requesting immediate relief and compensation for the farmers. He said that the minister had assured them that lakhs of affected farmers would be helped soon, and had admitted in the assembly session that the damage was extensive.
However, Kar said that till now, no relief or cooperation has been given by the government to the farmers. He said that the farmers’ groups have decided to intensify their agitation and hold similar rallies and deputations in all the eight districts of the state. He said that the survival of the farmers is crucial for the country’s economy and food security. He also appealed to the Chief Minister and the Governor to intervene in the matter and ensure justice for the farmers.
