Farmers staged a hunger strike at Paramathi Velur in Namakkal district demanding to discharge water for farming on Thursday (August 20, 2026).The water discharged from the Jederpalayam barrage to Raja Vaikkal was stopped by the Water Resources Department on July 28. Farmers alleged that the cultivation of betel leaf, banana, and sugarcane on 30,000 acres of land in Paramathi Velur, Pothanur, Nanjai Idaiyaru, and Palapatti has been affected due to the lack of water, prompting them to announce a hunger strike.Based on the announcement, on Thursday, more than 2,000 farmers staged a hunger strike at Mohanur Road at Paramathi Velur. Traders extended their support to the protest and more than 300 shops were shut. Published - August 20, 2026 06:06 pm IST