Pokkali farmers up in arms against saline water intrusion in Kodamthuruthu

Pokkali farmers have come out in protest against the office-bearers of the Changaram Vadakke Block and Pulitharamuri paddy polders in Ward 1 of Kodamthuruthu grama panchayat, accusing them of deliberately opening shutters and allowing saline water to enter the fields.

In a statement issued here on Wednesday, Francis Kalathunkal of the Kerala State Janakeeya Prathirodha Samithi said that as per the directive of the Kari Nila Vikasana Agency, saline water was to be completely drained from pokkali fields by April 15. However, even by mid-July, the office-bearers of the paddy polders had failed to remove saline water. As a result, the farmers have lodged complaints with authorities.

“In an attempt to bypass the issue, the office-bearers falsely claimed that repairs were needed on shutters and deliberately opened them, allowing more saline water to enter the fields. This has disrupted land preparation essential for the upcoming paddy cultivation. The continued presence of saline water is also causing severe hardship to local residents,” Mr. Kalathunkal said.

Farmers have submitted complaints to Agriculture Minister P. Prasad and the district administration.