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Cong. condemns Govt. `cover-up'

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI JAN. 6. The Tamil Nadu Congress working president, E.V.K.S. Elangovan, today condemned the State Government for refusing to admit that a farmer committed suicide in Thanjavur district following crop loss.

Instead of commiserating with the bereaved family, the AIADMK Government was trying to cover up the incident as suicide by an alcoholic. He also criticised the District Collector for denying that the farmer had died due to crop loans and piling debts.

The Congress would participate in the bandh called for January 9, protesting the Government's "ruthlessness, administrative deterioration and mishandling of the Cauvery issue".

CPI(M) to support farmers' agitation

The CPI (M) State unit today expressed support for the January 9 strike called by farmers' association demanding release of Cauvery water for the samba crop.

The State secretary, N. Varadarajan, in a statement, said the threat to the samba crop had forced a Thanjavur farmer, Veeraiyan, to commit suicide. The Government was trying to divert people's attention from the prevailing situation. Instead, it should ensure that other farmers did not meet a similar fate. Also, the Government must pay compensation to Veeraiyans family.

PM should intervene

Meanwhile, the Tamilnadu Agriculturists Union has urged the Prime Minister to impress upon the Karnataka Government to release water.

In a statement, the union said in the current irrigation year, about 102 tmcft was due from Karnataka. If at least a portion of it was released it would help save the samba crop in the delta districts.

The union also urged the State Government to compensate farmers who sustained heavy loss in the last two seasons. Condemning the Government for its attempt to attribute the suicide of Veeriyan to a family dispute, the union wanted the Government to sanction monetary relief to the bereaved family.

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