Nanattan livestock farmers complain over illegal settlements

Eelam Tamil livestock farmers from Nanattan met with officials from the Mannar District Social Economic Development Corporation (MESIDO) and the Senior Superintendent of Police to address growing concerns over grazing land conflicts in the Mannar district. The farmers had been complaining of this issue as far back as 2021; however, they were not given any permanent solution.

During their meeting with representatives from MESIDO, the farmers reported illegal farming activities encroaching on lands designated for grazing, particularly in the Kattukkarai Kulam area. According to the farmers, when they attempted to file a complaint with the Murunkan Police Station regarding these illegal activities, their complaint was disregarded. 

During the discussions, the farmers called on civil society representatives to urgently address the need for a sustainable solution to the issue of grazing land. The Tamil residents mentioned that  the authorities indicated that 352 acres in the Katukkarai Bullarthan area were earmarked as grazing land; however, the farmers claim that this allocation remains unfulfilled

This recent escalation underscores a longstanding conflict in Mannar over land use for agriculture and grazing. Earlier decisions by the Boundary Planning Committee permitted cattle grazing in farmlands of the Nanattan and Adampan regions, impacting paddy cultivation in the Iluppakkadavai area. Farmers across several villages under the Iluppakkadavai Agrarian Service report yearly setbacks due to these decisions, as unattended livestock often damage crops, including those in the village of Thettavadi, where cultivation is a vital source of livelihood for residents.

Despite repeated appeals from farmers, government officials have yet to take substantive action. Last year, local farmers sought assistance from the Manthai West Divisional Secretary and the Government Agent, pleading for protection against unchecked grazing during critical cultivation periods. However, their concerns were largely ignored, and cattle have continued to roam the fields unrestrained.

Adding to the community's hardship, a tragic incident occurred recently when a cattle grazier was killed by an elephant in the Nanattan area, further demonstrating the dangers that arise when traditional grazing lands overlap with cultivated spaces. The ongoing struggle over land access has left many Tamil farmers in Mannar feeling increasingly frustrated with what they see as government inaction and indifference to their livelihood challenges.

Now, with the cultivation season fast approaching, both cattle breeders and farmers are calling on authorities to take steps to prevent future conflicts. If no solution is reached soon, affected farmers are considering launching protests to demand fair access to farmland and create permanent grazing zones.