Farmers in Pollachi accuse local police of harassment related to the illegal sale of toddy, following intensive state-wide monitoring due to multiple deaths from toxic liquor consumption in Kallakurichi.
Coimbatore: A group of farmers in Pollachi have lodged a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner of Police, alleging harassment by local authorities over the illegal extraction and sale of toddy. This comes in the wake of a state-wide crackdown following the deaths of 38 people in Kallakurichi due to the consumption of toxic homemade liquor.
According to sources, the police have been actively monitoring and strictly enforcing the ban on toddy sales, especially in regions like Anaimalai and Kottur of Pollachi. The enforcement led to heated exchanges between farmers and police, with some farmers reportedly being treated like terrorists during the investigations.
Several farmers approached the Deputy Commissioner's office to file their grievance. They argued that toddy selling was vital for their livelihood and criticized the state's approach, suggesting that if a complete liquor ban was required, then the government should also shut down legal liquor shops instead of targeting the farmers alone.
The farmers warned that they might have to revert to selling toddy at the Gandhi Statue in Pollachi if the police do not stop harassing them. They demanded fair treatment and claimed that the harassment was uncalled for and against the law.
According to sources, the police have been actively monitoring and strictly enforcing the ban on toddy sales, especially in regions like Anaimalai and Kottur of Pollachi. The enforcement led to heated exchanges between farmers and police, with some farmers reportedly being treated like terrorists during the investigations.
Several farmers approached the Deputy Commissioner's office to file their grievance. They argued that toddy selling was vital for their livelihood and criticized the state's approach, suggesting that if a complete liquor ban was required, then the government should also shut down legal liquor shops instead of targeting the farmers alone.
The farmers warned that they might have to revert to selling toddy at the Gandhi Statue in Pollachi if the police do not stop harassing them. They demanded fair treatment and claimed that the harassment was uncalled for and against the law.