The harsh weather conditions, age and unavailability of suitable food has started taking toll on the health of protesting Tamil Nadu farmers and have sought reinforcements from their native villages.
"When we began the protest, there were over 150 farmers, but as their health deteriorated some of them were sent back. But, more farmers and youngsters from our state are on the way to Delhi to support us," said Sadasivam, a protesting farmer.
Earlier today, a 62-year-old farmer, Mahadevan from Oorudaiyapatti of Tiruchi district in Tamil Nadu, was taken to nearby hospital due to dehydration and vomiting.
However, Ayyakkannu, who is leading the protest, said so far around 64 farmers have been taken to hospital in the last 16 days, and later sent back to their respective villages.
"Around 64 people were taken to hospital for various reasons such as stomach pain, dehydration, body pains and stomach upset," he said.
The farmers are, however, thankful to Tamil youngsters living in the national capital for reducing their burden by funding for their food.
"Earlier, we used to eat from Gurudwaras nearby, but soon we suffered from stomach upset as we are not used to eat that kind of food. Now, the youngsters are providing food which is helping us in a big way," said a farmer.
The farmers, who have been protesting for the past 16 days, were refusing to give in until their demands, including drought relief package of Rs 40,000 crore and farm loan waiver, are met.
Cutting across political spectrum, various leaders of both regional and national parties including some actors have offered their support to the farmer.
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