Chennai: Expressing concern over the deaths of farmers in the backdrop of the failure of the monsoons in Tamil Nadu, DMK working President M K Stalin today urged the State government to implement relief measures on a ‘war-footing’ and take steps to prevent further incidents.

Without naming anybody, he took exception to some ministers’ remarks that not all of the farmers’ deaths can be attributed to drought, pointing out to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issuing notice to the State on the death of 106 farmers.

Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had last week assured that his government would provide appropriate relief to farmers on account of drought and deputed ministers and senior officials, besides district collectors, to take stock of the situation and file reports on the status of crops and drought.

The Chief Minister had recently said that based on the field reports, an announcement will be made on the drought situation and that all necessary relief be given. The reports are expected to be submitted to the government tomorrow morning and based on it, financial assistance would be given to farmers later in the day.