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Thengaithittu farmers begin cultivating their lands

Staff Reporter

Cultivation was stopped five years ago due to declining yields

— Photo: T. Singaravelou

GEARING UP: The members of Thengaithittu People's Movement Against Land Acquisition preparing their land for cultivation.

PUDUCHERRY: The protest over the acquisition of farmland for modernisation of the deep-sea port here took a different turn on Sunday with those opposing the project started cultivation on their lands, which were not cultivated for the last five years due to fewer yields.

Banana saplings

Members of Thengaithittu People's Movement Against Acquisition of Land came in large numbers and planted banana saplings on about 100 acres, which was part of the 400 acres planned for acquisition to modernise the port.

The Government had temporarily put on hold the land acquisition after stiff opposition from the residents of Thengaithittu.

"We stopped the cultivation in the area due to fewer yields five years ago. But we don't want the Government to use the opportunity to acquire the land mooting the argument that the entire area is a wasteland," said councillor S. Bhasakaran, who led the residents.

Last week, the members cleaned fields and ploughed them using heavy earth moving machinery. The 100 acres, which they had made cultivable, belonged to different people living at Thengaithittu. The councillor said members of the movement pooled in money to bear the total expenses. "Now the Government can't argue that it's a waste land. We will cultivate the entire area even if we have to burn our pockets," he said.

Besides banana cultivation, the farmers are planning to plant coconut trees and use part of the area for paddy cultivation, he further noted.

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Thengaithittu farmers begin cultivating their lands

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