A bandh is on in Tamil Nadu on Friday. Eleven political parties, including the Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and several Tamil outfits have called the dawn-to-dusk bandh to condemn the death of 13 people in the police firings on May 22 and 23 in Thoothukudi during a rally called to demand the closure of the Sterlite Copper plant.
The Congress, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Communist Party of India, the Indian Union Muslim League, the Pattali Makkal Katchi and other party representatives attended a meeting convened by the DMK on Wednesday to discuss the bandh plan.
Here are the updates:
DMK working president courted arrest after the staging a protest at Maduranthakam in Kancheepuram district. When Stalin began the protest demonstration near Madurantakam, he was joined by a newly-married couple in conventional wedding attire and wearing garlands, who raised slogans against the government.
The DMK leader had presided over the couple’s wedding at nearby Acharapakkam before hitting the road for the protest.
Members of DYFI and AIDWA staged a protest in Salem on Friday
In Salem, police personnel prevented members of DYFI and AIDWA from their attempt to set fire to the effigy of Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami.
No fresh violence has been reported so far from Thoothukudi. Buses with police security were operated to a few locations from the city.
Buses of the state-run transport corporations are operated as usual and all steps taken to ensure that normality is not disrupted, say government authorities.
Demonstrations were staged by the DMK, the Congress, the IUML, the MDMK, the VCK, the CPI, the CPI(M) and the MMK in several parts of the State and neighbouring Puducherry.
Kanimozhi leads protest
DMK leader and Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi led the protest in front of Egmore Railway Station.
DMK leader and Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi led the protest in front of Egmore Railway Station.
Agitations were staged by Opposition parties at several places in Chennai.
DMK leader and Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi leads a protest in front of the Egmore Railway Station. Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, Manitha Neya Makkal Katchi leader M.H. Jawahirullah and DMK MLAs participated in it.
Life in Kancheepuram remain unaffected on Friday morning with public transport facilities being open to the public. Small business establishments open a little later than usual.
The Rajaji Market traders association, dealing with the perishable vegetable goods, on the Railway Road, declares holiday for retailers but not for auction agent units. The Jackson vegetable Market on the Senkazhuneer Odai Street carries on with business as usual.
Similarly, hotels and mess service units which used to up their shutters by around 7 a.m, commence their service by around 8 a.m.
Almost all buses are seen moving out of the bus terminus with full occupancy.
Police standing guard at the Erode bus stand.
Life remains unaffected in Salem as the bandh begins.
Members of DYFI and CPI (M) staging a demonstration in Madurai
Members of the DYFI and the CPI(M) stage protests in Madurai. Heavy police presence is seen at the Didigul bus stand as the bandh began.
