Hundreds of farmers and agricultural labourers, affiliated to Left parties, were arrested in Tiruchi and delta districts on Thursday when they attempted to block trains protesting Karnataka’s move to build a reservoir across the Cauvery at Mekedatu. Their demands include stopping construction of the dam, constitution of the Cauvery Management Board and the Cauvery River Authority without delay and ensure that Tamil Nadu got its due share of water.
The agitation was called by the Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam and Tamil Maanila Vivasaya Thozhilalargal Sangam, affiliated to the Communist Party of India and Communist Party of India (Marxist) respectively.
The associations took exception to the Karnataka government’s decision to allocate Rs..25 crore for preparation of a detailed project report for the construction of two reservoirs across Cauvery. The dams would severely affect the livelihood of the farming community of Tamil Nadu. The project would not only affect the relationship between the two States but also destroy the sovereignty of the country, the associations contended.
In Tiruchi, police stopped a group of farmers from proceeding towards the Tiruchi railway junction to stage a protest. Meanwhile, another group of protesters blocked the Mayiladuthurai–bound Janshatabdhi Express for some time. About 190 persons were arrested during the protest. Attempts to stage rail roko at Thanjavur and Kumbakonam were foiled.
