PHOTO: T. SINGARAVELOU.

ARREST: The Pudhucherry Munnetra Congress leader, P. Kannan being arrested on Thursday.

PONDICHERRY: Founder of the Puduchery Munnetra Congress P. Kannan and thousands of party volunteers were arrested here on Thursday when they tried to picket the Assembly in protest against inadequate relief to rain-hit farmers and fishermen in Pondicherry and Karaikal.

Earlier, addressing party workers near Annadurai statue at Odiansalai, Mr. Kannan said the Congress Government paid Rs. 500 in cash to the affected families. This was a pittance, as the torrential rains had caused unprecedented havoc in the life of the fishermen, hut dwellers and farmers. The Government should raise the cash relief to Rs. 2,000 and the quantum of free rice from the present 10 kg to 50 kg per family. All huts should be replaced by concrete structures and each family must get a subsidy of Rs. 50,000 through the Pondicherry Slum Clearance Board.

Mr. Kannan criticised the Government for neglecting the farmers and fishermen and the lack of proper planning to mitigate their sufferings. He said the Government must pay Rs. 5,000 for an acre of land submerged and for loss of crop in the two regions.

All loans borrowed by farmers and fishermen from banks, cooperative and other public sector institutions should be written off. The interest due from the borrowers should also be waived without delay.

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