The Joint Movement of All Farmers' Associations in Trichy has demanded that the Tamil Nadu government immediately file a petition in the Supreme Court opposing Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu dam project. Speaking to reporters, 'Cauvery' V Dhanabalan, coordinator of the movement, stated, "We demand that the Tamil Nadu government file a petition in the Supreme Court against the Mekedatu dam project. The movement will also file a suit on its own against the project."
Farmers' meeting in Trichy
On Saturday, leaders from 84 farmers' associations across Tamil Nadu gathered for a meeting near Chathiram bus stand in Trichy. They welcomed the unanimous resolution passed by the state assembly against the dam, a step they had been demanding. The participants decided to compile all technical evaluation reports of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) along with other relevant data available with the state government. Dhanabalan added, "We will pursue our own legal course with this data and submit it before the Supreme Court."
Plans for legal and protest action
The farmers resolved to form a special committee comprising representatives from various associations to collect and submit the required documents to both the state government and the Supreme Court. They also planned to strengthen their legal case by highlighting additional points on the potential adverse impacts of the project. Leaders warned that construction of the Mekedatu dam would seriously jeopardise drinking water sources for 19 districts in Tamil Nadu and threaten the food security and livelihood of more than five crore people in the state.
Coordinated approach
The associations also decided to intensify field-level protests. They emphasised that since the issue involves an inter-state river water dispute, a coordinated approach with the state government would be more effective than pursuing separate cases. The farmers' movement is gearing up for sustained legal and protest actions to prevent the dam's construction.
