Cultivation of Army at Udayarkaddu, which affected badly the cultivation of local farmers

The Farmers of Udayarkaddu in Puthukudiyiruppu have been affected drastically by the cultivation of under the Udayarkaddu Tank. These farmers who depend largely on Udayarkaddu Tank, have been affected badly in the Yala Season also.

Udayarkaddu village comes under Puthukudiyiruppu of Mulaitheevu District. Usually, agricultural activities in 2,000 acre land had been undertaken depending on the tank there. Except for Maha season, this tank was the treasure of the famers in all other seasons.

The security forces men who occupied the Udayarkaddu area, after the end of the war period, gradually established their existence there. They have established a farm there and are engaging in cultivation there

They are obtaining water for irrigation of their crops from Udayakaddu Tank. They are using three 4″ pumps to water their crops in the morning and evening. Water level goes down drastically because of this and farmers are anguished without water for their cultivation.

In time to come we will be forced to abandon all our cultivation and go into the employment of the Army for our food. They are sucking all the water. Little by little they have reduced the extent cultivated by the local farmers and yesterday they have said that only ½ acre could be cultivated by the farmers. Water level has dropped by 1 ½ feet within one and a half months. To whom we shall complain? The farmers asked.