Chennai, Sep 2:
The Tamil Nadu government has decided to withdraw all cases registered against farmers and teachers who participated in peaceful protests between May 2021 and April 2026 over their livelihood, rights and legitimate demands.
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced the decision under Rule 110 of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. The move covers cases filed against farmers who protested against the proposed SIPCOT industrial estate in Tiruvannamalai district and the proposed airport at Parandur.
Farmers had held a series of protests against the Parandur airport project, citing concerns over agricultural land, waterbodies and their livelihoods. Several cases were registered against the protesters by the previous government, with some farmers also booked under the Goondas Act.
The government said the cases would be withdrawn on humanitarian and democratic grounds, irrespective of the provisions under which they were registered. It said the move would strengthen democratic rights and reinforce public confidence in the government.
Cases registered against teachers who staged peaceful protests for their legitimate demands during the same period will also be withdrawn.