Hundreds of farmers from across Palakkad district took out a march in the town on Tuesday demanding redrafting of the Ecologically Sensitive Zone (ESZ) law. The farmers demanded that the norms connected to the forests should not be allowed to be applied in farmlands.
The march was organised under the banner of the Samyuktha Karshaka Samrakshana Samiti. Fr. Joby Kachappilli, district convener of the samiti, inaugurated the march. Samiti district president Thomas Kizhakkekara flagged it off.
Bishop of Palakkad Mar Peter Kochupurakkal inaugurated a dharna in front of the District Collectorate here. He warned the State government that it should not turn a blind eye on the tears of the farmers. He also asked the government to make use of the concessions given by the Supreme Court in its judgement on ESZ.
