Two TN farmers threaten suicide, climb tree at Jantar Mantar

In a major turn of events, two Tamil Nadu farmers climbed a tree at Jantar Mantar and threatened to jump from the top if the government pays no heed to their demands.

The debt-ridden farmers are protesting with the skulls of their deceased fellows beside them demanding waiver of loans which they have been unable to pay for years.

Akilan and Rajesh, both from Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu, climbed a Neem tree on Saturday morning. Soon, members of the public and the police gathered under the tree convincing the farmers to get down.

It was only after some time that the two farmers were brought down to the relief of the onlookers. The incident was also captured on the mobile cameras.

"I took only Rs 1 lakh loan from banks five years ago and it has now become Rs 7 lakh with interest. How will I pay my loan with no irrigation and no water?" asked 19-year-old Akilan.

The plight of 25-year-old Ramesh is no different. He has taken a loan of Rs 5 lakh from the bank, but has no money to pay back the interest-added loan amount.

"I again had to take a loan of Rs 65,000 but my crops failed. How am I responsible? What will I do if the bank people harass me? Am I left with another option? The government is not listening to us" Ramesh said.

Over 70 farmers from Tamil Nadu were sitting on a hunger strike in the Capital on Saturday. and around 35 farmers are admitted to the hospital. The farmers are carrying the skulls of eight their friends and family members who reportedly committed suicide due to heavy debt.

"Though politicians and celebrities are coming to meet us at Jantar Mantar, we have still not heard a positive word from the government. Our country is a agricultural country, how can the government turn a blind eye towards us? We are on hunger strike till death," says P Ayyakannu, who is leading the protest.