Farmers Bandh in TN over Cauvery row evokes mixed response

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 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.

The wholesale fruit market and the flower and vegetable markets at the Koyambedu in the city also wore a deserted look. 

Leaders of various parties, including DMK Treasurer M K Stalin took out a rally in the city condemning the attacks on Tamils during the  violent stir in Karnataka opposing the release of Cauvery waters to Tamil Nadu.

Meanwhile, scores of farmers across the State courted arrest as they staged rail and road roko agitations. 

The support for the bandh got a tremendous boost with more several organisations and political parties extending their support..

As far as political parties were concerned, the DMK, PMK, MDMK, the Left Parties, Congress, VCK, TVK and the TMC, pledged their support to the bandh, being organised to get the due share of Cauvery waters to Tamil Nadu on the basis of the final award of the Cauvery disputes tribunal, besides constitution of the Cauvery Management Board.

Since more than 50 buses and lorries were torched in Karnataka during its recent bandh, today's strike in Tamil Nadu was also to demand adequate protection to Tamil speaking people in Karnataka and their properties.

The VCK led by Thol Thirumalavan staged rail roko agitations across the State, while DMDK President led by actor Vijayakanth organised a fast to condemn the attack on Tamils in Karnataka. 

Meanwhile various organisations have also pledged their support to the bandh to express solidarity with the farmers.

A statement from the Tamil Nadu Petroleum Dealers Association said nearly 4,600 pumps were shut.

However, outlets run by the public sector Indian Oil remained open.

The Omnibus operators also kept off the roads as they have also pledged their support to the bandh. 

Besides, 11 lakh goods lorries and 55,000 sand lorries did not ply to condemn the violent incidents against the Tamils.

Around 1.5 lakh milk distributors in the State also shut down their operations from 09:00 hrs after ensuring that the essential has reached  the household in the state. 

Co-ordination Committee of Tamil Nadu All Farmers Associations President P R Pandian said the bandh was being organised to urge the Centre to take action against Karnataka for acting against the sovereignty of the Nation.