CPIM protest against the enforcement of Private Forest Conservation Act.

The police arrested 750 activists of Communist Party of India (Marxists) including State secretary G.Ramakrishnan, MLAs R.Leema Rose of Thiruvattar Assembly segment,. G.John Joseph of Vilavancode Assembly segment, state executive member S.Noor Mohammed while they staged road roko in front of Nagercoil collectorate on Friday to protest against the enforcement of Private Forest Conservation Act.

Speaking to The Hindu over telephone, the State secretary of CPI (M) said that this act would adversely affect small and marginal farmers and hence the Government should withdraw the Act immediately. If not the CPI (M) would conduct a series of agitations in the district with the co-operation of like-minded parties including All India Anna Dravida Munnetta Kazagham, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetta Kazagham and Community Party of India.

When the Government least bothered about deforestation and illegal quarrying in different parts of the district, they implemented the Private Forest Conservation Act by giving hardship to small and marginal farmers. Moreover as told by M.S.Swaminathan, chairman of National Commission for Farmers, 45 percent of farmers wanted to quit farming in the country owing to price raise in agriculture inputs, Mr.Ramakrishnan urged the Government to ensure the welfare of farmers by withdrawing the implementation of such act.

The CPI (M) wanted to ensure the rights and welfare of farming community, he said.

(Courtesy : the Hindu)