Ayyakannu urges immediate action to stop Cauvery sewage, release Samba water

Farmers' leader Ayyakannu demanded immediate action to stop sewage flowing into the Cauvery and release 5,000 cusecs for Samba sowing, in a petition Thursday. Ayyakannu, president of the National South India Rivers Linking Farmers' Association, submitted the petition to Assistant Collector Salai Thavalavan during a grievance meeting. He also urged desilting Uyyakkondan and Kudamurutti canals and removing river reeds to raise groundwater levels. The petition further demanded a ban on bribery at government paddy procurement centres and traffic measures near Trichy's integrated court complex. The demands were raised at a farmers' grievance redressal meeting.