Ryotha to observe Aug 15 as black day

Bangalore, Jul 17: The Karnataka Rajya Ryotha Sangha (KRRS) will observe August 15, the Independence Day, as black day to protest against the ''anti-farmers'' policies of the Centre and the state government.

Addressing a press conference here today, KRRS Working President Chukki Nanjundaswamy alleged that even so many years after achieving independence, farmers condition in the country had been progressively worsening due to the 'wrong' policies of successive governments.

She said the woes of farmers and farm labourers compounded further with the advent of the Seeds Act 2004, which ushered in transgenic crops. Besides, unscientific price and credit policy had driven them several farmers to end their lives. Hence the KRRS had decided to observe August 15 as black day. Thousands of farmers would gather in the city on that day to take part in the protest, she added.

Ms Nanjundaswamy also informed that the KRRS Central Committee, at its meeting, had decided to shun politics and focus on strengthening the organisation. It had also decided to slam the doors on leaders who were trying to return to the fold after tasting defeat in electoral politics.

The Committee had also decided not to have any tie-up with farmers associations which were nursing an ambition to enter active politics, she added.

UNI