Bharat Bandh: Total in Tirupur, Tiruchy, mixed response in other districts

Around 80 per cent business establishments were closed in the Central region on Tuesday in solidarity to the bandh called on by the opposition parties in support of the protesting farmers. 

In Tiruchy, a group of cadres from several political parties led by the DMK staged a protest across the district in which farmers, traders and pro-farmers associations participated while around 200 DMK cadres were arrested in Tiruvarumbur while they attempted to block road against the farm law.

Similar protests were organised across the region by DMK and around 80 per cent of shops were closed. In Tirupur, the hub for textile units witnessed overwhelming response as nearly 90 per cent of textile shops, hotels, bakeries and commercial establishments remained closed. Production of over 1.5 tonne of silver and one tone of brass vessels were affected as vessel making industries in Anupparpalayam in Tirupur district joined the protest in support of the farmers. 

Similarly, 40 percent of the knitwear manufacturers and job working unit’s halted operations. Most other units functioned with skeletal staff as workers failed to turn up. 

In Coimbatore, there was partial response as more than 50 per cent of the shops and commercial establishments remained closed in the district. Police arrested around 40 DMK workers on charges of forcing shop keepers in Periyanaickenpalayam to shut down. Multiple political parties and outfits staged separate protests all through the day resulting in traffic disruptions on arterial roads in the district. 

In Salem, police arrested a total of 606 members of opposition political parties for holding protests in three places demanding to repeal the farm laws. Lorries stayed off the road affecting transport of essential commodities and goods 

Farmer leader P Ayyakannu, who was under close watch of the police, gave a slip by quoting to attend a case in Madurai High Court and reached New Delhi. However, Delhi police who sensed his arrival in the national capital picked him up and took him to Karol Bagh police station and kept him under custody.