Normal life was partially affected in the State on Thursday with the DMK-led, Opposition-sponsored bandh demanding the constitution of the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) evoking strong response. Leaders and cadre of different parties picketed trains and blocked roads at various places while the vast majority of traders shut shop.
In Chennai, DMK leader M. K. Stalin led the protests along with TNCC president Su. Thirunavukkarasar and others by squatting on the arterial Kamarajar Salai as they tried to proceed towards Marina Beach. All the protesters were arrested. Mr. Stalin, Mr. Thirunavukkarasar, along with VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi leader M. H. Jawahiruallah, were lodged at a marriage hall in Purasaiwalkam till evening.
In all the districts, hundreds of protesters staged rail rokos at major railway stations disrupting rail services for some time before being rounded up by the police. Bus transport suffered with the crew belonging to trade unions affiliated to Opposition parties boycotting work. Stray incidents of stone-pelting on dozens of buses were reported.
In the Central region, more than 7,000 Opposition party workers and farmers were detained when they staged protests in varied forms in Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts. Protesters in the delta districts slammed the BJP-led Central government for its resistance to constituting the CMB.
Nearly 74,000 people including some women were arrested across the State. This included 59,302 people who took part in protests affecting road traffic and 14,908 people who resorted to rail roko agitations. Police registered 20 cases relating to damage to public property and arrested 71 persons. A few members of Naam Thamilar Katchi were detained for storming into a Central government office in Thanjavur, police sources said.
