Farmers from Chinna Ulagani and nearby villages, dependent on Periyar irrigation water released through Nilaiyur-Kambikudi canal, gheraoed Madurai Collector’s office on Monday alleging non-release of water to tanks in their villages.
The villages included O. Alangulam, Chinna Ulagani, Kombadi, and Koodakoil, in which a total of more than 1,500 acres of land were dependent on the water for cultivation, the farmers said. They blamed the officials from Public Works Department and the people of Periya Alangulam for not letting the water flow to the tanks located in the downstream of Nilaiyur-Kambikudi canal.
V. Chandran from Kombadi said the water must flow downstream from Periya Alangulam tank after it reached its full capacity.“However, the people there have increased the height near the outflow sluices and are storing more water without releasing it,” he said.
S. Sundararajan from Chinna Ulagani said people from the village had pooled in money to clear several kilometres of supply channels in anticipation of receiving water after several years. “There is abundant water this year. However, tanks in our villages are dry due to mismanagement of supply,” he claimed.
The farmers alleged that a peace committee meeting organised couple of days back failed to yield any results.
On Monday, though revenue officials attempted to persuade the farmers to resolve the issue amicably, the farmers refused to participate in further talks and insisted on the release of water.
Collector S. Natarajan assured the farmers to swiftly resolve the issue.