The bandh called by various farmers associations and backed by various political parties against the Karnataka government’s proposal to construct a dam at Mekedatu evoked little response in Salem district, with normal life remaining unaffected.
Except for traders downing shutters in rural parts of the district, shops, hotels and other commercial establishments functioned as usual in the city.
Buses continue to be operated to rural areas with police personnel posted for security at sensitive areas.
Also, due to absence of buses from Mettur to parts of Karnataka through Kolathur and M.M. Hills, workers were forced to depend on commercial vehicles and many remained indoors.
Police personnel were posted at the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka border at Palar to monitor movement of vehicles and also to prevent untoward incidents taking place at various locations.
Wholesale merchants in Leigh Bazaar said that their business was normal, like on any weekend. Senior police officials said that no incidents of road block were reported in the district.
In Namakkal district, shops were closed in a few areas and normal life was not affected. No incidents were reported in the district.
Special Correspondent in Erode adds:
There was mixed response in Erode district to the bandh call by farmers on Saturday in protest against Karnataka Government’s move to construct dams across the Cauvery. While the response by the trading section was apparently lukewarm in the city limits, closure of shops and establishments was prominently felt in the suburbs and moffusil towns.
The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation operated its services as usual from the Corporation Bus Stand.
But, private buses to other districts and mini buses operating local services scaled down their services.
Barring sloganeering by a small group of people in Sathymangalam, there was no untoward incident reported elsewhere.
Inter-State buses were stopped at the border.
At Gobichettipalayam and Kavindapadi areas, most of the shops had downed shutters.
Markets did not function in Erode, Anthiyur and a few other areas, affecting normal life considerably.
Police presence was noticeable in bus stands and the railway station.
