In Erode district, Tamil Nadu, a hunger strike by around 400 farmers has entered its second day as they demand the removal of silt from the Bhavanisagar Dam without any restrictions. The farmers had sought permission to extract silt due to the dam's low storage levels, which they argue is critical for their agricultural needs. However, they faced opposition from forest authorities, who imposed conditions on the number of vehicles allowed to access the dam for this purpose. Following unsuccessful negotiations with officials, the farmers decided to protest by sitting in hunger strike at the Sathyamangalam Forest Office, located approximately 60 km from Erode. They are urging the authorities to lift these restrictions and allow for the necessary silt removal, emphasizing the importance of this action for their livelihoods. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between local farmers and government authorities regarding resource management and agricultural support in the region.