Taking the higher ground: DMDK members climb mobile towers to protest for farmers' crop insurance

While Tamil Nadu farmers are fighting a constant battle at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to demand drought relief funds and loan waivers among other things, going as far as to eat human excreta to attract the Centre's attention, local political groups too have been trying to find unique ways to fight for farmers’ rights.

Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) members on Monday, October 2, climbed four mobile phone towers in and around Kovilpatti in Tamil Nadu to protest against the delay in disbursing crop insurance to farmers, reported the Times of India.

The protesters alleged that ministers and district and agriculture department officials were lying by saying they had completed disbursal of crop insurance to farmers. The DMDK cadre wanted ministers and officials to tender an unconditional apology to the farmers.

Five party members climbed mobile phone towers in Kovilpatti, Kayathar, Nalattinpudur and Kalugumalai around 6.30am.

Police and district administration tried to bring them down. However, the protesters said they would not come down till the district collector gave them an assurance and tell them a date for disbursal of the insurance.

Fire and rescue services personnel were stationed near the towers, reported TOI.

On September 28, police had detained members of Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, a farmers’ collective, when they staged road roko in Tirunelveli while demanding immediate disbursal of compensation by the private insurance firm with which they had insured their crops.

• DMDK
• mobile towers
• crop insurance