The opposition DMK and some other parties staged a protest in Chennai on April 1 demanding setting up of the Cauvery Management Board by the Centre in compliance with the February 16 verdict of the apex court on the issue.
Just after giving a call for a State-wide bandh on April 5 over the issue at the party headquarters, DMK working president M.K. Stalin arrived at Valluvar Kottam in Chennai and led the demonstration.
Donning a green shawl as a mark of solidarity with farmers, he told the gathering that several protests have been planned till the Cauvery Management Board was constituted. “Our protest will continue till the Cauvery Management Board is constituted. On behalf of all (friendly) parties we have planned to continue with our protest,” Mr. Stalin said, adding that he will not reveal the venue or date of protests now.
Tamil Nadu Congress president Su. Thirunavukkarasar, CPI State secretary R. Mutharasan, CPI(M) State secretary K. Balakrishnan, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol. Thirumavalavan, MMK leader M.H. Jawahirullah and Dravidar Kazhagam chief K. Veeramani were among the leaders who participated in the demonstration. Most of the participating leaders sported green shawls. The protest, which was attended by a considerably large number of people, led to traffic congestion in the area for some time as the authorities were not informed about it beforehand.
DMK working president M.K. Stalin addresses an Opposition protest against the Centre at Valluvar Kottam in Chennai on April 1, 2018 over the Cauvery Management Board issue.
“Don’t change the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu (Thanjavur regioin in the Cauvery delta) into a region of stones. Implement the order of Supreme Court,” was among the slogans raised in the demonstration.
The leaders, including Mr. Stalin, were removed from the spot by the police and lodged at a nearby hall for sometime before being released. Opposing their removal from the protest spot, cadre of the DMK and other parties sat on dharna on the road at the Valluvar Kottam junction for some time in protest, causing traffic congestion.
DMK Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi staged a demonstration at Tirunelveli over the issue and opposing the detention of Mr. Stalin.
In nearby Villupuram district, a protest led by former MLA T. Velmurugan of the pro-tamil outfit Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katch turned violent as a toll plaza was attacked allegedly by some of his party cadre. Glass panels were left damaged in the attack as TVK cadre picketed the Ullundurpet toll plaza in Villurpuram and were later removed from the spot by police.
Meanwhile, security was stepped up at the Marina beach in Chennai and entry to the area was out under tight regulations following a flash protest a day before. Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar told reporters that protests could be held in designated areas, but Marina beach was barred for holding agitations by the court. Joint Police Commissioner (East) Anbu said police personnel, led by five deputy commissioners, have been deployed in Marina beach area to avert flash protests. He appealed to the people to seek proper permission and hold protest only in “notified areas”.
