Mon Feb 17 07:12:06 UTC 2025: **Herbicide Attack Destroys Crops of Scheduled Caste Farmers in Tamil Nadu**
CHENNAI, February 17, 2025 – Scheduled Caste (SC) farmers in Arungunam village, Tiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu, suffered significant losses after their crops were destroyed by herbicide spraying from drones. The incident, which allegedly involved caste Hindu residents, occurred on February 11th.
Three SC farmers – M. Sukumar, M. Thilakaraj, and V. Annamalai – had cultivated black gram and sesame on seven acres of panchami land, land traditionally allotted to SC communities. While the land was legally restored to the farmers after a successful petition to the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), the revenue records reportedly still listed the land under caste Hindu ownership.
According to CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam, despite a police complaint filed by the farmers, no action has been taken due to this discrepancy in land records. Mr. Shanmugam alleges a pattern of inaction by revenue officials in updating panchami land records, preventing SC farmers from fully securing their land ownership.
Mr. Sukumar’s complaint detailed threats and intimidation from caste Hindus prior to the herbicide attack. He reported that his crops, already struggling due to water scarcity, were completely destroyed after the drone spraying.
The CPI(M) is now appealing to the Tiruvannamalai Superintendent of Police for investigation and action against those responsible for the destruction of the crops and the intimidation of the farmers. The incident highlights ongoing land ownership issues and alleged caste-based violence affecting SC farmers in Tamil Nadu.
First Piper 