Mixed response to bandh call in State

March 29, 2015 12:00 am | Updated 05:57 am IST - CHENNAI:

Makkal Kalai Ilakkiya Kazhagam members block a train at the Tiruchi railway junction on Saturday.— Photo: A. Muralitharan

Makkal Kalai Ilakkiya Kazhagam members block a train at the Tiruchi railway junction on Saturday.— Photo: A. Muralitharan

The day-long State-wide bandh that was called by the farmers and backed by the Opposition parties and various trade unions protesting Karnataka’s move to build a dam at Mekedatu, evoked mixed response in the delta region and other parts of Tamil Nadu.

Banks, train and road transport services remained unaffected. It was business as usual in many pockets. However, in some districts there were rail roko, minor demonstrations and arrests.

In Thanjavur and Tiruvarur, the bandh made little impact. Shops were closed in Nagapattinam, but some traders in the rural pockets were busy with business. In Tiruchi, members of the Makkal Kalai Ilakkia Kazhagam staged a rail roko in front of the Jan Shatabdi Express engine.

Normal life remained unaffected throughout the Western region comprising eight districts. There were no reports of even stray incidents of violence or forced closure of shops.

Border tense

Athibele near Hosur on the Tamil Nadu – Karnataka border remained tense and police reinforcements were deployed in large numbers . The Kannada Rakshana Vedikae cadre burnt the effigy of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and raised slogans against the Tamil Nadu government upping the ante against the unanimous bandh call in the State by the farmers. 

Coimbatore did not feel the pinch of the bandh. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses returning from Kerala to Karnataka suspended operations and remained in Kerala till dusk on Saturday. A few KSRTC buses from Bengaluru that came to Coimbatore on Friday night remained at the depot till 6 p.m. 

In the Nilgiris, buses bound for Karnataka were plying passengers up to the check-post in Kakkanullah. From there, passengers continued their journey on KSRTC buses. Commercial establishments, including hotels, put up shutters causing inconvenience to tourists.

Madurai did not have much of an impact with buses and auto-rickshaws plying without any hindrance. Further down at Tuticorin, 40 per cent shops had downed shutters. Similar trend prevailed in Tirunelveli, Theni and Dindigul markets. In Nagercoil, Kottar and Marthandam towns too shops were functioning partially. There was absolutely no sign of the bandh in Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram districts as people carried on with their routine life . Tourist flow was steady in Kodaikanal.

Response to the bandh call was good in Cuddalore and Villupuram districts . Most of the shops remained closed in Ulundurpet, Tindivanam, Gingee and Kallakuruchi areas. Auto rickshaws and private buses remained off the roads.

Chennai normal

In Chennai city, protesters barged into the Chennai Central and Egmore railway stations and raised slogans in front of trains. They were arrested and released later. The bandh had little impact in the suburbs of the city.

However, major retail outlets in Tambaram, Pallavaram, Nanganallur and Alandur were closed while medical shops and eateries remained open throughout the day.

The bandh passed peacefully in Kancheepuram. However, shops and other private establishments remained shut almost throughout the day and State Transport Corporation buses operated with minimum patronage.

Little impact in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Coimbatore, Madurai, Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram

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