With farmers associations calling for a bandh and traders deciding to down shutters on Friday on the Cauvery issue, law enforcers have braced up for the agitations to ensure order.
Rail roko and siege agitation are planned at different places in the central region encompassing eight districts. Sources said rail roko agitations were planned at different stations in Tiruchi, Pudukottai, Karur, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts.
The Coordination Committee of All Farmers Associations has planned to lay siege to the office of the Central Excise in Thanjavur demanding the formation of the Cauvery Management Board and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee. Agitations were planned at different places in Nagapattinam district.
The Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangankalin Peramaippu, a traders’ body, has announced that a decision had been taken to down shutters on Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. across the State. The closure of shops was to condemn arson and violent attacks on business establishments and vehicles owned by Tamils in Karnataka and to demand the Centre to nationalise the rivers, a press release from the Peramaippu State treasurer Ve. Govindarajulu here said.
In Tiruchi district, all big and small shops besides petty shops would remain closed for the day.
The traders’ body has sought the cooperation from bus, lorry and auto drivers and workers on this issue. The Tiruchi Gandhi Market Vyapaarigal Munnetra Sangam has decided to extend their support for the farmer bodies by downing shutters on Friday.
In a press release, it said vegetable and fruits shops and other business establishments would remain closed for the day. A decision to this effect was taken at its urgent meeting held here on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Tiruchi District Integrated Sand Lorry Operators Association said it would extend support to the bandh. About 2,000 sand lorries in the district would keep off the roads on Friday, T.C.B.Sambandamurthy, coordinator of the association, said.
Police said in addition to utilising local police personnel manpower strength had been augmented by drafting personnel from the Armed Reserve and Tamil Nadu Special Police for deployment at various places to ensure order.
