MK Stalin calls for Tamil Nadu bandh to support farmers

CHENNAI: A meeting of political parties chaired by DMK working president M K Stalin on Sunday decided to observe a state-wide bandh on April 25 in support of drought- hit Tamil Nadu farmers.

The proposed shutdown is an attempt to urge the Centre and the state government to immediately act upon the demands of farmers and farm labourers protesting in various parts of the state and in Delhi.

The Centre should treat the drought as a “national disaster” and declare Tamil Nadu “disaster-hit” in view of the unprecedented conditions, a resolution adopted at the meeting said.

The Centre should provide relief as per the law for disaster-hit people, it said. A public meeting will be held here on April 22 to explain the need for the bandh, the resolution said.

According to another resolution, a delegation comprising leaders of political parties would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They will be joined by farmers staging protest for over a month in Delhi. They would and urge the PM to take steps to address the problems the farmers are facing.