Bandh for Cauvery: Mixed response in TN, effective in Puducherry

Chennai: Normal life remained 'uncrippled' in Chennai city and its suburbs, while it was affected in Cauvery Delta districts, as the dawn-to-dusk bandh called by various Tamil Nadu farmers associations with the backing of almost all the opposition parties on the vexatious cauvery issue, evoked mixed response today. The bandh was by and large peaceful and no untoward incident was reported from any part of the state so far, police sources said.

Almost all the opposition parties, barring the BJP and the DMDK of Actor Vijayakanth, which is holding a a separate fast, pledged their support for the one day shut down, demanding Tamil Nadu's due share of Cauvery water from Karnataka and to condemn the violence unleashed on Tamils in the neighbouring state and their properties on this emotive issue. Life was normal in Chennai city and suburbs, as government buses plied as usual, thanks to the State Government taking adequate precautionary measures by deploying a large posse of police personnel to prevent any untoward incident.

In Chennai city alone, about 15,000 policemen were drafted into security duty, by posting additional pickets at vulnerable areas. Extra security have been provided to all establishments, including hotels and banks, owned by the Kannadigas. Schools and colleges remained open and functioned as usual. Though the Private Nursery, Primary and Matriculation Schools Association supported the bandh, some of the private schools functioned as usual. However, shops and several business establishments downed their shutters as the Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangam Federation and the Traders Federation led by A Vikramaraja and T Vellaiyan respectively extended their full support to the bandh, following which more than 30 lakh shops across the state were closed.

Cauvery row: Bandh ‘total’ in Pondy


A near 'total' bandh was observed in Puducherry on the Cauvery water issue today. As many as 31 Tamil organizations along with Puducherry traders federation called the bandh to condemn the attack on Tamils in Karnataka and demanding the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu as per the Supreme Court direction. The bandh was supported by different political parties, including the BJP and DMK. Shops and business establishments remained closed here and taxis, private buses, autorickshawas and three wheeler passenger tempos were off the road.

A Puducherry Road Transport Corporation had suspended its service after the bus with students was attacked at Vazhudavur near here today. The Tamil Nadu State government buses were plying through Puducherry with police escort. Private educational institutions declared a holiday for the day while the government schools were functioning.The government offices both Central and State, were functioning with thin attendance.

Many private industries also remained closed and the cinema houses suspended their morning and matinee shows. A large number of volunteers of the Tamil organizations were arrested when they put up A road blockade in front of the new bus stand here. The volunteers burnt the effigy of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and courted arrest. After their arrest, the BJP volunteers led by State President V Saminathan put up a road blockade in the same place and were also arrested. (UNI)