CPI seeks Centre's intervention to help TN farmers

New Delhi, April 21 : The CPI on Friday flayed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what it said was "utter disregard" towards the plight of protesting Tamil Nadu farmers and sought the the government's immediate intervention.

Communist Party of India General Secretary S. Sudhakar Reddy and National Council Secretary K. Narayana visited the Jantar Mantar -- where the farmers have been protesting for over a month to demand loan waivers, drought relief package and formation of a Cauvery river management board.

"Modi, during the 2014 Lok Sabha campaign, promised to take care of farmers and solve water disputes once he came to power. Three years after assuming power, he has done nothing," the CPI said.

The party pointed out that the Tamil Nadu farmers had been protesting peacefully for nearly 40 days. It asked the Centre to extend all possible relief to the striking farmers.

From wearing human skulls to conducting mock funerals and even stripping at Raisina Hill here, the farmers have been grabbing eyeballs for over a month. 

Earlier, the central government approved Rs 1,712 crore under the National Disaster Response Fund for Tamil Nadu as against the state's demand for a relief package of Rs 40,000 crore.