Despite support from other parties, PMK bandh for CMB evokes poor response in city

With the support of the DMK, Congress and other parties, the PMK staged a rail roko at Egmore railway station here. The cadre also held black flag protests and raised slogans against the Centre, which has failed to set up Cauvery Management Board (CMB). Later, PMK cadre, including party youth wing leader and MP Anbumani Ramadoss, former union minister A K Moorthy and farmers’ association leader P R Pandian, were arrested by police. 

PMK founder S Ramadoss participated in a protest held at Ambattur. He was also later arrested. Shops in several areas in the city remained closed. However, MTC operated its full fleet. Commuters, hence, were not affected.

Thanking the political parties and other associations for the successful bandh, Anbumani Ramadoss, “We have successfully conducted the protests across the state and our protest will continue, till we get justice on the Cauvery issue. This is just a token protest,” he said. 

Similarly, partymen staged agitations in various parts of the city. Around 300 cadre, who participated in a rail-roko were arrested, while police arrested 260 members, who took part in the agitations elsewhere in the city. Meanwhile, a PMK protest in Tindivanam railway turned tragic as a protester, who climbed atop a train, was electrocuted when he came in contact with the high-voltage line. The victim, an auto driver, was identified as Ranjith. Sources said that he suffered 70 per cent burns and was rushed to Jipmer in Puducherry. He was later shifted to the Kilpauk Medical College Hospital in Chennai.