October 6, 2018
India

Farmers stage protest against windmill firms at grievance meet

Special Correspondent | The Hindu | October 06, 2018 | www.thehindu.com

Accusing the wind turbine generator firms of coercing farmers and forming roads via their farms without getting permission, a group of farmers raised slogans during the farmers’ grievance day meet held here on Friday.

After raising slogans to highlight their demand of stern action against the wind farm companies, the farmers laid down on the floor in front of Collector Sandeep Nanduri who was chairing the grievance meet.

Farmers O. A. Narayanasamy, Veerapandi, Chellasamy and Maharajan of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, who raised slogans against the wind turbine generator companies, said the “rouge companies”, after forming roads via the farms in Ottapidaram, Kayathar and Kadambur areas without the owners’ permission, were installing poles for erecting power cables.

“Whenever the owners of the land opposed it, they are being threatened with the help of the police. When the farmers resist vehemently, they are attacked by thugs and then by the police. The Collector should safeguard the farmers. If not, the farmers will handover their lands to the Collector,” said Mr. Maharajan.

Pacifying the agitated farmers, Mr. Sandeep said he would discuss the issue with the Superintendent of Police and put an end to the menace.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/10/06/farmers-stage-protest-against-windmill-firms-at-grievance-meet/