At least 70 farmers owing allegiance to Lower Anicut Irrigation Farmers’ Association were arrested when they besieged the local office of the Public Works Department (PWD) and resorted to road blockade urging the authorities to release 3000 cusecs water per second from Kallanai for Lower Anicut irrigation.

“Though water was released from Kallanai on September 24 for Delta irrigation, it did not reach Kollidam making it difficult for the farmers in the lower anicut irrigation area to start farm-related works.” T Vinayagamoorthy, president, Lower Anicut Irrigation Farmers’ Association, alleged.

Vinayagamoorthy demanded that the authorities release 3,000 cusecs water per second from Kallanai for Lower Anicut irrigation.

“Kollidam water from Anaikkarai flows to Veeranam lake via Vadavar, Therku Rajan Vaikkal, Vadakku Rajan Vaikkal, Kummukki Manniyar and Sethiyathoppu dam and about 1.32 lakh acres of agriculture lands will get irrigation facility,” other farmers said.

The farmers raised slogans and besieged the PWD office. They also resorted to road blockade disrupting traffic on the busy Kumbakonam-Chennai road in Anaikkarai for an hour. Subsequently, they were arrested.