Normal life not affected in many places

Normal life remained unaffected in the two districts as the one day bandh called by farmer unions protesting against the Karnataka government’s move to build check-dams across Cauvery in Mekadatu evoked little response.

Though the bandh was backed by the opposition parties, normality was maintained in the two districts. Shops and commercial establishments remained open in most of the places and public transport corporations operated normal bus services.

Some shops were closed in Sivaganga and Kalayarkoil but life was normal in Karaikudi and Devakottai areas, as per reports. About 60 members of Naam Tamizhar Katchi and Indiya Jananayaka Katchi were arrested in Sivaganga district when they attempted to disrupt normal life and released in the evening.

In Ramanathapuram, police arrested few members of Naam Tamizhar Katchi when they burnt an effigy of Karnataka Chief Minister near new bus stand.

They were released in the evening, police said. No untoward incident was reported in any part of the district, Superintendent of Police N.M. Mylvahanan said.

Tuticorin

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.