Namakkal: More than 1,000 shops in Paramathi Velur in Namakkal district remained closed on Thursday in solidarity with farmers demanding the release of water into the Raja Vaikkal canal.The one-day shutdown was organised by the local traders’ association following protests by farmers over the stoppage of water supply from the Jedarpalayam check dam to Raja Vaikkal canal 22 days ago, which farmers said happened abruptly and without prior notice.Farmers said the canal irrigates nearly 30,000 acres where banana, betel leaf, sugarcane and korai grass are cultivated, and warned that crops were at risk of withering due to the abrupt stoppage, leaving cultivators staring at heavy losses. Betel leaf farmers said they invest nearly ₹10 lakh for cultivation annually and pointed out that the disruption could devastate their livelihoods.Talks between farmers and officials at the Paramathi Velur water resources department office on Monday remained inconclusive, after which farmers intensified protests with road blockades and demonstrations. Traders then announced the closure, leading to a near-total shutdown in the town, affecting daily life as residents struggled to access essential goods and services.Traders’ association president V Sundaram estimated losses exceeding ₹2 crore in a single day. “We cannot remain silent when the backbone of our economy, the farmers are suffering. This is not just their fight, it is ours too,” he said.R Kumar, a shopkeeper in Velur Bazaar, said, “If farmers lose their crops, the entire town loses its livelihood. We closed our shops today to show that their struggle is our struggle.” M Selvi, a resident of Paramathi Velur, said, “We depend on these farmers for food and trade. Without water, their crops will die, and so will our economy.”Meanwhile, the farmers’ association carried out a hunger strike from 10am to 6pm on Thursday to press their demand for immediate release of water into the Raja Vaikkal canal.
