Approach four police zones, Madras court tells farmers' association

Madurai: The Madurai Bench of Madras high court on Wednesday directed a farmers' association to approach the four police zones in the state to seek permission for carrying out awareness campaign across the state demanding interlinking of rivers in southern states of the country.

The court issued the direction on a petition filed by Iyyakannu, state president of Desiya Thenidhiya Nathigal Inaippu Vivasayigal Sangam. The plea sought the court to issue direction to the police to grant them permission for state-level awareness campaign.

Iyyakannu said the failure of monsoon for three consecutive years has impacted farming activities in Tamil Nadu. Farmers were worst affected due to scarcity of water resources in the state, he said. Only through interlinking of rivers across the southern part of the state, it is possible to solve the water crisis, said Iyyakannu.

He submitted the petition to the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu on November 20  seeking permission for conducting the awareness campaign. But the DGP directed him to approach the superintendent of police in each district to get permission.

As it wouldn't be possible to approach all the SPs to seek permission, Iyyakkannu told the court.

After examining his petition, the court directed him to approach the four police zonal offices to seek permission within 10 days and also directed him to give bonds assuring that they wouldn't create law and order problem.

The court also directed the inspector general of police in each zone to grant permission for the awareness campaign.