Tamil Nadu gears up for Cauvery bandh today

Political parties and trade organisations in Tamil Nadu will go ahead with the general strike on Friday to condemn the attacks on Tamilians in Karnataka over the Cauvery water release issue.

The call for strike has got support from various quarters amid the Supreme Court rapping the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments for permitting agitations to challenge a judicial order passed by it.

Though the ruling AIADMK government is not supporting the strike, almost all opposition parties, including the DMK, Congress, Vijayakanth-led DMDK, Tamil Maanila Congress and the PMK have extended support.

Autos and omni bus services are expected to stay off the roads. Some private schools and education institutions have declared holiday on Friday. However, the Tamil Nadu government made it clear that all the schools will function normally. 

The state administration also said that the government bus services will be operated by giving full security.Petroleum Dealers Association also said that more than 4,500 petrol and diesel outlets will be shut.  However, company-owned petrol bunks are expected to operate.

A



dawn-to-dusk bandh called by several farmers and traders bodies over the raging Cauvery dispute evoked mixed response across Tamil Nadu with Opposition parties, including the DMK, supporting it.

DMK leader and Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi, oppposition leader Stalin and four DMK MLAs courted arrest in Chennai. MDMK leader Vaiko was arrested in Trichy  after he attempted to stage rail roko at Trichy Junction. VCK Leader Thol.Thirumavalavan also detained near Basin Bridge in Chennai.

Shops, commercial establishments and all petrol bunks remained shut in view of the protests. State transport corporation-run buses besides trains are being operated as usual though autos, taxis and commercial freight operators remained off the roads.

As those who had given the bandh call have said a series of protests, including "road and rail roko", will be held, thousands of police personnel have been deployed across the state to maintain law and order.

Police said tight vigil was being maintained and no attempts to mar public peace or disruption of free movement of transportation -- on road or rail -- would be allowed.