Cauvery issue: Mixed response to DMK-led Opposition bandh in Tamil Nadu

The DMK-led opposition parties’ bandh, demanding an early establishment of Cauvery Management Board to ensure water for farmers as per the Supreme Court orders, began in Tamil Nadu today.

With a key traders body of Tamil Nadu too backing the shutdown, retail outlets, grocery shops and establishments were closed in most of the places across the state, including Chennai, and the Cauvery delta districts of Tiruchi and Thanjavur.

Banks, pharmacies, hospitals and schools, however, remained open.

Due to the backing of key opposition-affiliated trade unions, including DMK’s LPF and CPI’s CITU, the operation of state-run buses, too was affected. The shutdown for Cauvery Board was marked by protest demonstrations and impromptu rallies.

The shut down was marked by DMK working president MK Stalin holding a black flag and leading a rally of opposition parties with thousands of various parties’ cadres participating in it.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Su Thirunavukkarasar and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol Thirumavalavan too were accompanying Stalin.

In Tiruchi, former minister and DMK strongman KN Nehru was leading a rally. The DMK and other opposition parties have been staging protests across the state for the past four days over the issue.

A ringside view from The Hindu's Tamil Nadu Bureau

Chennai: The public transport services including suburban trains and MTC buses in the city were functioning normally, despite the strike called by the Opposition for the delay in forming the CMB.  A senior official of the MTC said almost 3,000 buses are being operated since morning. Similarly, suburban train services on all sections were being operated as per the schedule and without any disturbances. It's business as usual at the Koyambedu vegetable market in Chennai on Thursday.

Shops in the usually busy Burma Bazaar in Rajaji Salai, Chennai, down their shutters on Thursday due to the bandh called by the Opposition over Cauvery row.

Thoothukudi : Most shops in Thoothukudi town remained open and buses were plying as usual. According to Tuticorin SP, Mahendran, about 50 per cent shops across the district remained closed.

In southern districts: Normal life was hit following the bandh call in many parts of the southern districts of Tamil Nadu. Though 75% of the buses were plying in Madurai, Virudhunagar and Dindigul divisions, as claimed by the transport authorities, not many commuters were seen at the bus depots.

Markets were closed but the roadside tea shops were open.

Private vehicles moved around and share autos/mini buses were off the road.

Puducherry : About a dozen Youth Congress workers courted arrest while staging a protest in front of Raj Nivas over the Cauvery row.

Coimbatore :  The DMK-supported State-wide bandh did not have much impact on the normal life in Coimbatore, as vehicles including majority of TNSTC and private buses, plied normally. Vehicles of educational institutions were also seen operating as usual.

However, shops, hotels and commercial establishments remained closed in the morning.

Tirupur :  A side window pan of a state-owned public transport bus was damaged when some miscreants pelted stones on the vehicle near Tirupur on Thursday.  Police officials said they had identified seven persons who hurled the stones.  Meanwhile, the traders too joined the shutdown protest in the district.

About 70 members of The Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam and the Indian Union Muslim League were arrested as they attempted to staged a train blockade agitation in Tirupur.

Tirunelveli: DMK cadres led by former Tirunelveli MLA N. Maalairaja blocked the Nagercoil passenger train at Kurunthudaiyarpuram in Tirunelveli on Thursday morning.

Palayamkottai MLA T. P. M. Mohideen Khan too joined the rail roko. As the talks with the protesters failed, the police arrested them. About 97 DMK cadres, including 17 women were arrested.

More than 75% of the buses from Tirunelveli have left for the destinations as scheduled. However, nearly 50% of the shops remained closed in Tirunelveli distrcit.

In Palayamkottai, police pacified a group of students who tried to stage a demonstration near the St. Xavier's College, Palayamkottai.

Karur : More than 80 per cent of shops and business establishments remained  closed in Karur district. Many of textile units have also been closed in Kaur and neighbouring areas. However, bus services were not affected.

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