The central region witnessed a wave of black flag protests by some Opposition parties, farmers’ association and other outfits opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Chennai and condemning the Centre for its failure to form the Cauvery Management Board (CMB). Black flags were hoisted at several houses, DMK and CPI party unit offices and in front of various shops in the region. Some auto drivers also tied black flags to their vehicles.
In some places in the region, those protesting with black flags were arrested. Slogans were raised against the Prime Minister for delaying the formation of the CMB.
Police sources said in Thanjavur town, a group of 10 members of the Tamil Desiya Katchi were arrested after they defaced the name board of the Karnataka Bank's branch with black paint. In neighbouring Pudukottai district, around 10 members of the CPML were held after they set afire to an effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Around 48 cadre of the DMK were arrested after they staged a protest holding black flags in front of the post office at Padalur in Perambalur district. Another group of DMK cadre assembled in front of the Perambalur post office and staged a flash black flag protest and dispersed before the police arrived. DMK cadre resorted to black flag protests in Thanjavur town, Pudukottai and Keeramangalam in Pudukottai district and Musiri in Tiruchi district. Cadre of the Naam Tamizhar Katchi staged black flag protests at Tiruverumbur in Tiruchi district and in Pudukottai town. A group of farmers staged a black flag protest at Vengur.
Cadre of the Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India- Marxist and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam also resorted to protest in Tiruchi and Pudukottai. Black flags fluttered in around 450 places in Tiruchi district alone. The flags were tied atop various houses and shops in Thanjavur, Karur, Perambalur, Tiruchi, Tiruvarur, Ariyalur and Nagapattinam districts.
A group of government pensioners staged a dharna at the municipality office in Mayiladuthurai demanding the formation of the CMB. Dharna was also staged in front of the Tiruvarur railway station by pensioners.
