Farmers protest against India-U.S. trade pact

Members of the Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers’ Association burnt a copy of the Centre’s proposed India-U.S. free trade agreement at Andankarai village near Thiruthuraipoondi in Tiruvarur district on Sunday, demanding that the Union government withdraw the pact, which they alleged would be detrimental to farmers’ interests.

Raising slogans against the agreement, the protesters said it would adversely affect agricultural livelihoods and called for its immediate rollback.

Those who took part in the protest included P.R. Pandian, Tamil Nadu coordinator of the United Farmers Association (non-political), M. Subbaian, Tiruvarur district president, A.P. Balamurugan, Thiruthuraipoondi union secretary, and union deputy secretary Senthilkumar.

The protest followed a call given by Mr.Pandian urging demonstrations across villages to oppose the agreement.