The bandh called to press the Centre to prevent the Karnataka government from constructing a dam across the Cauvery at Mekedatu evoked poor response in Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts on Saturday.
Except for the closure of some shops in various parts of Tuticorin district, there seemed to be no response to the bandh call. Public transport including State-owned buses, private buses, auto-rickshaws, taxis and vans plied as usual since morning. However, twenty percent of shops and other commercial establishments remained closed since 6 a.m. as traders’ associations extended support to the bandh. Shutters of grocery shops, utensil shops, hotels, tea stalls and other establishments were down. Out of 40,000 shops in the district, around 8,000 remained closed, police sources said.
Besides, 93 cadres of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) courted arrest as they staged a rail roko at four locations in Tiruchendur, Alwarthirunagari, Nazareth and Kayalpattinam, sources added.
U. Natarajan, president, Tuticorin District Traders’ Association, said around ninety traders’ associations functioning in the district had extended support to the bandh. On behalf of Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Association, its district president K. Perumal, said the dam would adversely affect the fortunes of farmers in Tamil Nadu and appealed to the Centre to take all out efforts to prevent such an attempt.
Police force was deployed adequately in the district and no untoward incident had been reported. TNSTC buses plied as usual with 328 buses on road from Tuticorin depot and 654 buses from Tirunelveli also continued to serve the public. In Tirunelveli district, about forty per cent of the shops were closed. Normal life was not affected as buses plied as usual.
Nagercoil
There was mixed response for the dawn-to-dusk bandh call given by farmers’ associations to protest against Karnataka’s move to construct a dam across the Cauvery in Mekedatu in Kanyakumari district on Saturday. Normal life was not affected.
Shops were closed in Kottar, Kambalam areas in Nagercoil town and partial response was seen in Thuckalay, Eraniel, Mettukkadai and Marthandam. Hotels, roadside eateries and tea shops functioned normally. Government and private buses were operated in full strength. KSRTC operated its services to various destinations in Tamil Nadu as usual.
Police patrolling was intensified since Friday night. Police pickets were posted in good strength at Nagercoil, Kanyakumari, Thuckalay, Eranial and Kaliyakavilai railway stations.
Police personnel were deployed in crowded areas, government offices, bus stands, and depots besides other important places to maintain vigil and ensure order. Town and moffusil buses were operated as usual from Anna bus stand and Vadaseri bus stand.
No untoward incidents were reported in the district, police sources added.
