Tamil Nadu’s ruling AIADMK began a State-wide hunger strike on Tuesday in protest against the Central government’s failure to set up a Cauvery management board despite a Supreme Court order.
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“If they have real concern for the farmers and are interested in protecting their livelihood they should have convened an all-party meeting and adopted a resolution condemning the Centre for its failure to constitute the Cauvery Management Board,”DMK working president M.K. Stalin said.
Lok Sabha proceedings were disrupted for the 19th consecutive day today due to protests by AIADMK members seeking early constitution of the Cauvery water management board.
Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran speaking outside Tiruchi Airport.
The Madras High Court Advocates Association has said it would boycott court proceedings on April 6 condemning the Centre for not constituting a Cauvery management board.
Rail 'roko' in Madurai
Makkal Viduthalai Katchi cadres, led by its founder K. Murugavel Rajan, block the Nagercoil-Mumbai Express outside the Madurai railway junction for 25 minutes. The police pick up 56 cadres.
Members of the DMK, Congress and the VCK stage a road 'roko' in Madurai.
Fasts, protests in delta districts
Thanjavur - Agriculture Minister R. Duraikannu, AIADMK Rajya Sabha member R. Vaithilingam, senior party leader and former Minister Vaigai Selvan, MLAs C.V. Sekar (Pattukkottai) and M. Govindarajan (Peravurani) are staging a dharna opposite the Head Post Office. Over 30 cadres of the Tamilaga Cauvery Vivasayigal Sangam were rounded up when they attempted to stage a rail 'roko' near the Thanjavur Junction.
Papanasam - DMK and allies stage a protest demonstration.
Kumbakonam - Farmers belonging to the Cauvery Farmers Protection Association, led by Swamimalai Vimalnathan, resort to a novel protest by ''eating sand'' in front of the Head Post Office. Several trading establishments remain closed for the day
Tiruvarur district - The AIADMK is staging a fast opposite the Railway Junction, led by former Minister P. Valarmathi.
In Tiruchi , the AIADMK begins a fast at Chinthamani near the Chathram Bus Stand, with the participation of senior AIADMK leader K.P. Munusamy, Ministers Vellamandi N. Natarajan and Valarmathi, besides Tiruchi MP P. Kumar.
Fasts were also being observed at Perambalur, Ariyalur, Nagapattinam and Pudukottai districts.
Traders down the shutters in Tiruchi and Pudukottai.
Palaniswami, Panneerselvam join fast in Chennai
Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam join their party men at Chepauk, in Chenna for a fasti. The two leaders were among the first few to reach the venue of the fast — near the State Guest House around 8.15 a.m.
(With inputs from T. Ramakrishnan, L. Renganathan. R. Rajaram and Sundar Subbiah).